MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – The 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base both are the recipients of prestigious Omaha Trophies recognizing the two wings for outstanding support to U.S. Strategic Command’s strategic deterrence mission.

The Minot AFB bomb wing is being honored with the Strategic Bomber Omaha Trophy and the Minot AFB missile wing is being honored with the intercontinental ballistic missile Omaha Trophy.

Navy Adm. Charles Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, announced winners of the 2019 Omaha Trophies on Monday.

“The Omaha Trophy is awarded to the best of the best in executing strategic deterrence,” said Richard, in Air Force information. “This year’s winners distinguished themselves through hard work, selfless dedication and innovative thinking.

“The Omaha Trophy awards are a testament to the incredible efforts of the airmen and women at Minot Air Force Base, both in the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing,” said Sen. John Hoeven. “Minot Air Force Base plays an integral role in the nation’s defense, and we continue working to modernize and upgrade our nuclear forces to ensure their future success in defending our nation and deterring the aggressions of our adversaries.”

Minot AFB is the only dual wing nuclear-capable base in the Department of Defense. The bomb wing has B-52 bombers and the missile wing operates, maintains and secures Minuteman III ICBMs in the Minot missile field.

The Omaha Trophy was created in 1971 by the Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee. Originally, a single trophy was presented annually to the command’s best wing. SCC, an advisory group comprised of business leaders in the Omaha area, became the Strategic Command Consultation Committee after U.S. Strategic Command was activated in 1992.

The Omaha Trophy now is awarded annually to U.S. Strategic Command’s best performing wings in five different categories: Ballistic Missile Submarine, Global Operations, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Strategic Aircraft and Strategic Bomber.

Other organizations receiving the 2019 trophy are:

– Ballistic Missile Submarine: USS Alaska, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.

– Strategic Aircraft: Wing One Task Group 114.2, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

– Global Operations: 100th Missile Defense Brigade, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado