MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- As a result of the exceptional service and outstanding performance of the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing, both were announced as two of five winners of the 2019 Omaha Trophy. The winners were announced on September 21, 2020 and Rear Admiral William W. Wheeler III, USSTRATCOM Chief of Staff visited Team Minot on December 15, 2020 to congratulate the base and present the awards to the wings.
“Team Minot represents two thirds of the nuclear triad. They are a strategic deterrence for our nation,” said Wheeler. “That’s an important, critical mission that has to be manned 24/7, 365. The importance of this mission cannot be overstated.”
The Omaha Trophy was established in 1971 by the Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee and started as a single award presented to the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command’s best wing. Over the years the award has developed into five awards recognizing the commands top intercontinental ballistic missile wing, ballistic missile submarine, strategic bomber wing, global operations unit and strategic aircraft wing.
The 5th Bomb Wing is being recognized in the strategic bomber wing category for its mission accomplishment and effectiveness. Through enhancing interoperability with international partners and strengthening its ability to provide strategic deterrence, leading innovation and bolstering readiness capabilities, they have embodied the statement of "Only The Best Come North”.
“Before I came to Team Minot I had the opportunity to review the package that was submitted for the award,” said Wheeler. “It wasn’t hard to choose a winner. It was extremely impressive.”
Additionally the 91st Missile Wing, through their extraordinary and exemplary support of the USSTRATCOM strategic deterrence mission, has been awarded the 2019 Omaha Trophy for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) category.
The 91st Missile Wing showcased their ability by leading Air Force Global Strike Command with multiple major command level awards. Leading the way in AFGSC, the 91st Missile Wing excelled in several areas such as a No.1 in sortie alert rate, launch facility availability rate, maintenance execution rate and mean time to repair.
The determination of Team Minot has led to many awards and recognitions. The 5th Bomb Wing was ranked No. 1 in a Headquarters Air Force Inspector General readiness assessment with the first no-notice dual wing generational exercise where they planned and organized sixteen strike packages and eight B-52 sorties.
Additionally, Team Minot has ranked #1 Air Force-wide for the Personnel Reliability Assurance Program leading the Department of Defense’s largest PRAP population and having the No. 1 Air Force Medical Treatment Facility out of 76 total. Amongst these many accomplishments, out of all of Air Force Global Strike Command, Team Minot ranked No. 1 in nuclear bomber maintenance, dominating the competition and acing two nuclear operations.
“I knew when I came up here that I was going to see an impressive group of Airmen”, said Wheeler. “When you see their excitement and their motivation, it makes you feel good. I am absolutely convinced that we chose the right two wings for this award.”
The 91st Missile Wing and 5th Bomb Wing, through their steadfast dedication to maintaining mission readiness and innovation, proved themselves to be well deserving of the 2019 Omaha Trophies. Team Minot’s hard work and dedication paved the way to where the wing stands today. With several national awards under their belt, Team Minot Airmen prove to be a dominating force in the Global Strike climate, once again demonstrating that only the best come north.