Minot Airmen earn Omaha Trophies Published June 15, 2011 By Capt. Genieve David Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, Vice Admiral Cecil D. Haney, presented the 5th Bomb Wing and the 91st Missile Wing two of the four coveted Omaha Trophies here, June 15. The 5th BW earned the Strategic Aircraft Operations Omaha Trophy and the 91st MW earned the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Omaha Trophy. The admiral recognized the importance of Minot Air Force Base's mission, and said it was no coincidence that both wings received this prestigious award. "This moment and this trophy represent Team Minot's expertise and unwavering dedication," said Admiral Haney. "This is a testimony of flexibility and resiliency, which appropriately characterizes Team Minot and all of the Minot community." Mark Theisen, the U.S. STRATCOM consultation committee member, was also proud to recognize both wings for their achievement. "The Omaha trophy gives clear evidence that these two wings got it right," said Mr. Theisen. "This is the Super Bowl trophy in your mission area of national defense. You should be very proud." Selections for the trophy are based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, safety, and other factors such as community involvement and humanitarian actions. Each year, Omaha's Strategic Command Consultation Committee recognizes four outstanding units. The categories reflect the command's primary lines of operation, continued emphasis on strategic deterrence, and their evolving role in global operations. Col. Stephen Davis, 91st MW commander, accepted the trophy on behalf of the 91st MW, and was impressed with the overall performance demonstrated by both the Roughriders and the Warbirds. "Our efforts to provide Intercontinental Ballistic Missile combat capability to U.S. STRATCOM and the president demand perfection and excellence - this award recognizes that we have exceeded those very demanding expectations," said Colonel Davis. "Over the last year, our two wings have excelled in teamwork, dedication and precision at a level that is unsurpassed by any base. It should be clear to all - only the best come north." The 5th BW commander, Col. James Dawkins, accepted the trophy on behalf of the Warbirds. "You Warbirds have proven time and time again, through your performance during back to back deployments to Guam, as well as your performance during a rigorous inspection cycle, shows that you have what it takes to be the best bomb wing in U.S. STRATCOM," said the colonel. The former Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee first presented the Omaha Trophy as a single trophy to the Strategic Air Command in 1971 on behalf of the citizens of Omaha. The number of awards increased over the years as the U.S. STRATCOM missions and organizational structure changed. U.S. STRATCOM is one of ten U.S. unified commands under the Department of Defense. The command, including components, employs more than 4,300 people representing all four services including DOD civilians and contractors who oversee the command's operationally-focus global strategic mission.