Global Strike Airmen, Canadians cooperate for close air support training Published July 12, 2011 By Crystal Jordan Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Air Force Global Strike Command recently provided conventional bomber support during an annual Canadian military exercise at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba. The exercise, dubbed "Western Defender," provided an opportunity for Air Force Global Strike Command's 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to work with the 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in a close air support training mission. "International training missions are important," said Maj. Dan Dorson, the chief of Air Force exercises branch at Global Strike Command. "Although we may have the same objective, in combat situations, the boots on the ground and the pilots overhead aren't always wearing the same flag on their shoulders." Training missions give everyone a chance to become familiar with other nations' operating procedures, Major Dorson said, and this ability to communicate is vital to the success of close air support missions. The scenario of "Western Defender" mirrored real world operations in current conflicts--allied forces were tasked to locate targets and meet objectives while also avoiding enemy detection. Three B-52 Stratofortress bombers departed Minot and made the 20-minute flight over the border to Shilo, dropping simulated bombs over the range with the aid and guidance of Canadian joint tactical air controllers on the ground. Capt. Chad Guendelsberger, a 69th Bomb Squadron flight evaluator at Minot, helped plan and evaluate the exercise. "These international exercises are great opportunities to build coalition relationships, overcome any language barriers and identify and iron out differences in operational specifics," Captain Guendelsberger said.