Submitted Photo A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off during Exercise Prairie Vigilance 24-3 at Minot Air Force Base on April 12. Prairie Vigilance serves to assure allies and partners that the U.S. is ready to execute nuclear operations and global strike anytime, anywhere, in order to deter and, if necessary, respond to strategic attack. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kyle Wilson.

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, participated in Exercise Prairie Vigilance 24-3 at the Minot base April 6-12.

Prairie Vigilance (PV) is a routine training mission that enhances the safety, security and reliability of the bomber leg of the U.S. nuclear triad. Exercises like PV enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, while validating the always-ready, global strike capability. Team Minot airmen focus on the safe and secure handling of assets comprising the nuclear triad in order to stay proficient in a variety of key operational skills.

During PV, airmen responsible for maintenance, security forces, aircrew, and command and control at Team Minot undergo rigorous training to ready them for potential threats against the United States and its allies.

Prairie Vigilance provides a realistic training environment for Global Strike airmen to exercise flexible, strategic airpower. It is designed to test both bomb wings’ ability to conduct strategic bomber readiness operations by enabling the 5th and 2nd Bomb Wings to work together.

“We are here to show we can get the job done,” said Senior Airman Andre Goulet, 5th Security Forces Squadron defender. “My team has done a superb job. We are trained to the highest level and are held to the highest standard. Through all forms of adversity, like weather or long shifts, we are the ones getting it done.”