MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Airmen from the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron assembled an improvised ramp onto a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 22 on Minot Air Force Base. The cargo loaded included this bomb lift truck. Airmen from the 5th LRS, along with others across the base, worked to support Global Thunder 12. Exercise Global Thunder 12 is U.S. Strategic Command’s annual field training and battle staff exercise, designed to exercise all mission areas with primary emphasis on nuclear command and control. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ashley N. Avecilla)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Team Minot Airmen board a plane in support of Global Thunder 12 Oct. 22 at Minot Air Force Base. Exercise Global Thunder 12 is U.S. Strategic Command’s annual field training and battle staff exercise, designed to exercise all mission areas with primary emphasis on nuclear command and control. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – A B-52H Stratofortress takes off as part of a rapid launch during an annual field training and battle staff exercise Oct. 25 at Minot Air Force Base. As a finale to the two week-long Global Thunder 12 exercise, several B-52s took off in rapid succession, signaling the end of the training mission. The exercise provides training opportunities for forces to deter, and if necessary defeat, a military attack against the United States. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Senior Airman Jesse Lopez)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Minot Airmen participate in GT 2012

Published Nov. 2, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Jessica McConnell
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The 91st Missile Wing and the 5th Bomb Wing participated in the U.S. Strategic Command worldwide exercise, Global Thunder 12 from Oct. 19 - 27.

Exercise Global Thunder 12 is U.S. Strategic Command's annual field training and battle staff exercise, designed to exercise all mission areas with primary emphasis on nuclear command and control.

Global Thunder provides training opportunities for forces to deter, and if necessary, defeat a military attack against the United States - employing forces as directed by the president.

"Strategic deterrence, nuclear force employment, and command and control remain core missions for the Department of Defense," said Col. James Dawkins, 5th Bomb Wing commander. "This exercise demonstrates USSTRATCOM's , as well as Minot Air Force Base's, ability to carry out its strategic nuclear deterrence mission."

The Global Thunder exercises are designed to reflect the ongoing evolution of USSTRATCOM and its components providing opportunities to incorporate the most current technology and techniques in support of these efforts.