Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing inspect an air-launched cruise missile during the Global Thunder exercise at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, April 12, 2023. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command forces and assess joint operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Wright)

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE — Global Thunder 23, U.S. Strategic Command’s most recent annual nuclear command and control exercise, concluded Wednesday.

Global Thunder 23 was designed to assess joint operational readiness and provide training opportunities for U.S. Strategic Command forces to deter, detect and prevent strategic attacks against the United States and its allies.

During the exercise, Minot Air Force Base personnel executed and sustained a simulated alert status to validate and maintain an effective and ready strategic deterrence force. Defenders, aircraft maintainers, aircrew, munitions specialists, airfield management personnel, food service specialists and various other airmen in support roles worked around the clock to accomplish exercise objectives.

“The 5th Bomb Wing is comprised of exceptional, mission-focused airmen, and they absolutely nailed the execution of this exercise,” said Col. Daniel Hoadley, 5th Bomb Wing commander. “Strategic deterrence is anchored on a demonstration of credible combat capability, and Global Thunder allowed us to do just that.”

Global Thunder 23 presented training scenarios that tested all U.S. Strategic Command mission areas to include Minot AFB’s 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing, with a specific focus on nuclear readiness. Airmen and B-52H Stratofortresses from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, integrated with 5th Bomb Wing airmen to conduct joint readiness operations.

“We always aim to practice the way that we will be expected to perform in combat,” said Hoadley. “To that end, we were able to wring out virtually every aspect of nuclear operations during this year’s Global Thunder. We integrated with the 2nd Bomb Wing to meet logistical requirements and crush all operations and maintenance tasks inside of tight timelines. Given the complexity of this exercise, the results were confidence building for the entire B-52 team.”

The training opportunities provided by Global Thunder enable U.S. Strategic Command forces to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency and validate Minot AFB’s always-ready global strike capabilities.

The exercise involved more than 100,000 personnel from across the nuclear enterprise focused on ensuring forces are ready to deter adversaries and, if necessary, employ forces as directed by the president, according to U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs at Offutt AFB, Nebraska,

U.S. Strategic Command concludes Exercise Global Thunder 2023

By U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs

Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. — U.S. Strategic Command concluded exercise Global Thunder 2023, which successfully tested and validated the nation’s nuclear command, control, and operational procedures.

The exercise ran April 11-18 and involved more than 100,000 personnel from across the nuclear enterprise focused on ensuring our forces are ready to deter adversaries and, if necessary, employ forces as directed by the President.

“Strategic deterrence is the bedrock of our nation’s national security. Our forces must be able to execute their mission at a moment’s notice,” said Gen. Anthony Cotton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command. “Exercises like Global Thunder train and prepare every member of our enterprise to address rising global threats.”

Global Thunder provides opportunities for U.S. Strategic Command personnel and units to train with allied nations and partner organizations to strengthen integration and enhance the readiness, effectiveness, and safety of America’s strategic deterrence force needed to confront various global challenges.

Planning for Global Thunder began more than a year ago and was not in response to actions by any nation.

“The real-world environment impacts how we view the training but does not impact what training is planned,” said Jeffery B. “J.B.” Miller, U.S. Strategic Command’s director of joint exercises, training, and assessments. “Global Thunder 2023 was a very complex exercise that allowed us to test 11 focus areas for us and our component commands.”