5th Bomb Wing picks up Omaha hardware

  • Published
  • By Maj. Elzabeth Oritz
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 5th Bomb Wing received the U.S. Strategic Command Omaha Trophy
in a wing-wide ceremony here Aug. 4.

"This trophy recognizes your excellence, but it also recognizes the sacrifices you've made and continue to make," said Gary Gates, a civic leader representing Omaha, Neb., the city where the award originated in 1971. "The role you play is one of honor and deserves every citizen's respect."

The Omaha Trophy is awarded in four categories spanning aircraft, missile, space and information operations. The 5th BW won the 2005 Omaha Trophy for the strategic aircraft operations category.

Overall, the 5th BW provided "superb contributions to the mission of strategic deterrence by directly ensuring the combat readiness of a significant portion of two components of the nation's nuclear forces," according to the award citation, which was read during the ceremony.

Strategic Command Commander Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, who was on hand to present the wing with the trophy, said there was an "incredible blend of synergy" at Minot.

"This is the model of how we're going to move forward in the future," the general added during an all-call with the uniformed members of the base.

Acknowledging the award, the 5th BW commander noted the attributes that went into winning the Omaha Trophy.

"Your attention to detail, readiness and precision - all you do day in and day out - got us this award."

In July 2005, the 91st Space Wing was awarded the 2004 Omaha Trophy in the intercontinental ballistic missile category.