Global Thunder 2014 Published Nov. 4, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Lauren Pitts Minot Air Force Base Public Affaris MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- -- The Minot Air Force Base 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing participated in the U.S. Strategic Command worldwide exercise Global Thunder 2014 on Oct. 17 - 29, 2014. Exercise Global Thunder is USSTRATCOM's annual field training and battle staff exercise, designed to drill all mission areas with primary emphasis on nuclear command control, said Lt. Col Scotty Briscoe, 5th Bomb Wing director of staff. "Here at Minot, Global Thunder is an opportunity to generate our B-52s so that we can better exercise that portion of our operational plans," Briscoe said. Global Thunder also provides training and learning opportunities for forces to deter a military attack against the United States - utilizing intercontinental ballistic missile bomber operations, maintenance and support forces. "A lot of people may think this exercise is strictly for the aircraft, but it actually affects the entire bomb wing," Briscoe said. Global Thunder exercises are meant to reflect the ongoing evolution of USSTRATCOM and its key elements providing opportunities to incorporate the most current technology and strategy in support of these efforts. Given Minot AFB's recent flight line renovations, the exercise was the first full exercise for Minot aircraft in almost a year. However, Minot Airmen were still successful in exercise and mission completion. With squadrons dispersed between Guam and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, the recent exercise was a true testament to Minot's capability. "Minot did very well this year, considering it was our first full aircraft generation in almost a year due to runway renovations," Briscoe said. "Given the circumstances, we were very successful in completing our training goals."