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.

Submitted Photo Airman 1st Class Se’kani Frett, right, 5th Security Forces Squadron defender, scans Common Access Cards during Warbird Week at Minot Air Force Base May 14. As a part of his duties, Frett determines whether or not an individual is authorized to gain access to the base. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Ben Selchow.

“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.”

Submitted Photo Airmen assigned to the 5th Munitions Squadron inspect munitions during Warbird Week at Minot Air Force Base May 13. Warbird Week consisted of various scenarios designed to test airmen’s ability to operate in challenging conditions. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson.

Submitted Photo U.S. airmen assigned to the 5th Maintenance Group load munitions onto a B-52H Stratofortress during Warbird Week at Minot Air Force Base May 13. The B-52 is capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson.

Submitted Photo U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Sherva, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team member, transports EOD equipment during Warbird Week at Minot Air Force Base May 14. Sherva disarmed and defeated simulated explosives as part of Warbird Week. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kyle Wilson.