Airmen and B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB deployed to Minot and trained alongside the 5th Bomb Wing to assess readiness, while the 91st Missile Wing conducted Bully Vigilance 25-2 at nearby missile sites. Col. Jesse Lamarand, commander of the 5BW, said: “Team Minot is made up of disciplined and dedicated Airmen. 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 involved scenarios across all STRATCOM mission areas with an emphasis on nuclear readiness. Personnel from the 5BW, 2BW and 91MW demonstrated their ability to maintain a strategic deterrent force that is safe, secure, effective, and credible.
“The American public should be very proud of their dedicated Airmen, and any potential adversaries should take seriously our combat power,” said Lamarand. Support teams across security forces, maintenance, flight operations, missile operations, munitions, airfield management and base services worked continuously under elevated security conditions.
Col. Jimmy Schlabach, commander of the 91MW, said: “I’m proud of the Rough Rider Airmen’s consistent dedication, and I’m proud we were able to showcase it during GT26.” He added: “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.”
The exercise reinforced the operational skills of the 5BW, 2BW and 91MW and reaffirmed Minot AFB’s ability to deliver rapid and reliable global strike when required.
Source: U.S. Strategic Command (press release).
