MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, ND —
The 5th Bomb Wing Warbirds carried out Exercise Prairie Vigilance (PV) 24-1 Oct. 23 to Oct. 27, at Minot AFB.
PV is an annual training exercise designed to test the Wing’s ability to conduct strategic bomber readiness operations while ensuring its units are able to maintain their proficiency in a heightened state of readiness.

“Our units learn a variety of things from these exercises,” said Capt. Joshua Griffin, 5th Bomb Wing Inspector General chief of exercises. “The first being the understanding of what their mission is within the big overarching 5th Bomb Wing mission, but also how each individual Airman plays a role. When Airmen understand what we are trying to accomplish here, you are providing a ‘why’ behind getting up in the morning, going to work, and accomplishing the mundane.”

Not only does PV prove the 5th Bomb Wing’s ability to generate assets safely, quickly, and securely, it also projects a message of deterrence. PV plays an essential role in confirming the Airmen’s abilities to execute their tasks in a stressful, fast-paced environment, and gives squadrons the opportunity to perfect their contribution to Air Force Global Strikes Command’s mission of providing strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support…anytime, anywhere.

“Exercises like Prairie Vigilance ensure the 5th Bomb Wing maintains a constant state of readiness and the ability to effectively contribute to the security of our nation and its allies and partners,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Hoadley, 5th Bomb Wing commander.