Airman Joseline Chacon Monterroso, 5th Bomb Wing
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —
The 5th Bomb Wing (5 BW) conducted Warbird Week, a series of readiness exercises that test Airmen’s ability to operate and respond under challenging circumstances, from May 11-15, 2026.
U.S. Air Force photo I Airman Ben Selchow
Units within the 5 BW encountered a number of scenarios throughout the week that evaluated their capacity to produce combat airpower, sustain mission operations, and react to unanticipated challenges.
“Warbird Week is designed to challenge our Airmen at all levels in realistic, high-pressure scenarios that test their ability to adapt, respond, and continue the mission under adverse conditions,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Connor Klein, 5 BW Inspector General.
U.S. Air Force photo I Senior Airman Kyle Wilson
“This Warbird Week also included our first conventional combat generation exercise in over ten years, providing a fail-forward environment for our Airmen that drives our ability to fight anytime, anywhere in austere and hostile conditions,” said Klein.
Warbird Week ensures 5 BW Airmen prepare sufficiently to maintain readiness through practical, high pressure training. The scenarios reveal ways to improve overall performance while pushing Airmen to think creatively and apply their training in realistic threat environments.
U.S. Air Force photo I Senior Airman Kyle Wilson
“Warbird Week reinforces our ability to adapt, respond and execute the mission under pressure,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Taylor, 5 BW deputy commander. “This training ensures the 5BW Warbirds remain disciplined, dedicated, deadly and ready.”
Readiness exercises like Warbird Week are a cornerstone of the 5 BW’s mission to produce combat mission ready Airmen who are always ready to support, execute and defend global strike capability at any time, from anywhere.
Warbird Week is named after the 5 BW moniker for Airmen assigned to the wing who are known as “Warbirds.”
