Safe, secure, effective confirmed

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Air Force Global Strike Command's 5th Bomb Wing received a satisfactory rating after successfully completing its nuclear operational readiness inspection here Nov. 10.

The inspection lasted over seven days and included 24-hour operations said Maj. Jose L. Castaneda, 5th BW chief of nuclear plans and exercises.

"The AFGSC inspector general came to see the 5th BW demonstrate its nuclear operational capabilities in a timed-constrained environment," Major Castaneda said. "The hard work of the many Airmen involved in all of the operations paid off."

The various squadrons involved in the inspection, ranging from 5th BW maintainers to security forces personnel, reaffirmed the 5th BW's readiness to fulfill its strategic deterrence mission worldwide.

They are indeed a finely tuned military machine, added Major Castaneda.

"We practice dealing with war-time scenarios all the time," continued Major Castaneda. "The success of the various exercises we have completed reflect in the outcome of this inspection."

Major Castaneda said everything played out well and the mission was carried out in unison.

"It's no doubt our Airmen were definitely prepared to demonstrate our readiness capabilities," he said. "Our command knows we are ready, willing and able to execute our mission of ensuring a safe, secure and effective force."

In appreciation for the hard work carried out by everyone during the inspection, command leadership set up a burger-burn luncheon Nov. 10 at the security forces training building.

Major Castaneda expressed his gratitude to the many Airmen of the 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, La., for augmenting the 5th BW with operators and maintainers in order to fulfill mission requirements.

"It was a seamless combination of forces, proving the efficiency we have in working together," he said.

Echoing the major's reflection of the exercise, Col. Doug Cox, 5th BW commander, gave applause for what his Airmen accomplished during the exercise.

"I'm extremely proud of all the hard work our Warbirds put into this inspection," said Colonel Cox. "The combined efforts of the 2nd Bomb Wing and 17th Munitions Squadron were key elements in helping our wing earn the Satisfactory rating. Our Airmen have proven that we can provide combat ready forces to conduct safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrence and global strike operations."