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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – The 5th Bomb Wing (5BW) conducted Warbird Week, a series of readiness exercises that test Airmen’s ability to operate and respond under challenging circumstances, from May 11-15.

Units within the 5th Bomb Wing encountered a number of scenarios throughout the week that evaluated their capacity to produce combat airpower, sustain mission operations and react to unanticipated challenges.

“Warbird Week is designed to challenge our airmen at all levels in realistic, high-pressure scenarios that test their ability to adapt, respond and continue the mission under adverse conditions,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Connor Klein, 5th Bomb Wing inspector general.

“This Warbird Week also included our first conventional combat generation exercise in over 10 years, providing a fail-forward environment for our airmen that drives our ability to fight anytime, anywhere in austere and hostile conditions,” Klein said.

Warbird Week ensures 5th Bomb Wing airmen prepare sufficiently to maintain readiness through practical, high pressure training. The scenarios reveal ways to improve overall performance while pushing airmen to think creatively and apply their training in realistic threat environments.

“Warbird Week reinforces our ability to adapt, respond and execute the mission under pressure,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Taylor, 5th Bomb Wing deputy commander. “This training ensures the 5BW Warbirds remain disciplined, dedicated, deadly and ready.”

Readiness exercises like Warbird Week are a cornerstone of the 5th Bomb Wing’s mission to produce combat mission ready airmen who are always ready to support, execute and defend global strike capability at any time, from anywhere.

Warbird Week is named after the 5th Bomb Wing’s moniker for airmen assigned to the wing who are known as “Warbirds.”