5th OSS, 23rd and 69th BSs compete in Global Strike Challenge Published Sept. 7, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Andrew Crawford Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D -- Top performing Airmen from the 23rd and 69th Bomb Squadron, including members of the 5th Operations Support Squadron, competed here Aug. 27, in a bomb dropping competition which was scored and will be used as part of Air Force Global Strike Command's Global Strike Challenge. While the 69th Bomb Squadron is currently deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence, they still had the opportunity to partake in the competition. The 5th OSS' Airfield Operations, Aircrew Flight Equipment, and Airfield Management teams, among many others here also provided significant flight operations support during the contest. They even had a five-man crew team up in the air providing support. Minot Airmen from both the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing are scheduled to participate in this year's AFGSC Global Strike Challenge from the months of June through November to showcase the world's premier bomber and ICBM force and to recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams. "We definitely want Minot to bring home the title," said Capt. Christopher Saltares, 23rd BS Weapons and Tactics Flight. During the bomber portion of the competition, a five-man team competes to showcase their effectiveness, accuracy and teamwork by dropping three dummy bombs on designated targets. Each of the five crewmembers has a specific job to perform, making each crew member directly responsible for the team's performance as a whole. "We have five qualified guys on the jet for a reason; we all have to do our job," said Capt. Eric Bow, 23rd BS Radar Navigator. Over the years, officials said these competitions have been used primarily to help build morale and build confidence in crew's capabilities, but also to showcase this country's nuclear deterrence. "This is our third year participating in this event, and it just keeps getting better and better," said Lt. Col. Mike Petrosh, Global Strike Challenge command lead. "The competition allows us to recognize the cream-of-the-crop, and Airmen are already getting excited about it." Approximately 400 competitors take part in the Global Strike Challenge events at various locations around the United States. Competition categories include bomber, ICBM and helicopter operations, bomber and ICBM maintenance and security forces. The official Global Strike Challenge score-posting symposium is scheduled to be held at Barksdale AFB, La., on the evening of Nov. 7.