While Exercise GT26 occurred at multiple locations, Minot Air Force Base supported activities among two bomb wings and a missile wing accounting for two-thirds of the U.S. nuclear triad.

Airmen and B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, traveled to Minot AFB and worked alongside the 5th Bomb Wing to test their readiness. Meanwhile, members of the 91st Missile Wing conducted Bully Vigilance 25-2 in conjunction with GT26 at nearby missile sites.

“Team Minot is made up of disciplined and dedicated airmen,” said Col. Jesse Lamarand, commander of the 5th Bomb Wing. “It was impressive to see the 5BW Warbirds working alongside the 2BW Strikers during this exercise. Our teamwork, readiness, and combat capability is the foundation for strategic deterrence. GT26 gave us the opportunity to showcase that.”

GT26 included training scenarios across all U.S. Strategic Command mission areas, with a strong emphasis on nuclear readiness. During the exercise, personnel from the 5th Bomb Wing, 2nd Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing demonstrated their ability to maintain a strategic deterrent force that is safe, secure, effective and credible.

Submitted Photo U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, take off as part of Exercise Global Thunder 26 at Minot AFB, Oct. 26. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Wesley Davies.

“The American public should be very proud of their dedicated airmen, and any potential adversaries should take seriously our combat power,” said Lamarand.

A team of teams including security forces, aircraft maintainers, flight crews, missileers, munitions experts, airfield managers, food service staff and other critical support roles worked nonstop under elevated security measures to demonstrate their readiness and hone their skillsets.

“I’m proud of the Rough Rider airmen’s consistent dedication, and I’m proud we were able to showcase it during GT26,” said Col. Jimmy Schlabach, commander of the 91 Missile Wing.

“Our around-the-clock readiness deters threats and protects the U.S. and our allies. Exercises like GT26 allow us to test and strengthen our capabilities and help us improve our lethal readiness,” Schlabach said.

Submitted Photo Senior Airman Sierra Smith, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron topside maintainer, performs maintenance operations during Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, Oct. 23. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Vincent Padilla.

Submitted Photo A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 40th Airlift Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrives in support of Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, Oct. 18. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson.