Global Strike Airmen strengthen strategic readiness during Global Thunder 26

Airmen assigned to the 5th Security Forces Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, watch a B-52H Stratofortress take off as part of Exercise Global Thunder 26 at Minot AFB, North Dakota, Oct. 26, 2025. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command Forces and assess joint operational readiness. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO I Senior Airman Trust Tate

Senior Airman Trust Tate, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. —
Global Thunder 26 (GT26), the latest iteration of U.S. Strategic Command’s annual field training and command and control exercise, concluded Oct. 26 here.


While Exercise GT26 occurred at multiple locations, Minot AFB supported activities amongst two bomb wings and a missile wing accounting for two thirds of the U.S. nuclear triad.

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off as part of Exercise Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 26, 2025. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command Forces and assess joint operational readiness. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston


Airmen and B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, traveled to Minot AFB and worked alongside the 5th Bomb Wing to test their readiness. Meanwhile, members of the 91st Missile Wing conducted Bully Vigilance 25-2 in conjunction with GT26 at nearby missile sites.


“Team Minot is made up of disciplined and dedicated Airmen,” said Col. Jesse Lamarand, commander of the 5BW. “It was impressive to see the 5BW Warbirds working alongside the 2BW Strikers during this exercise. Our teamwork, readiness, and combat capability is the foundation for strategic deterrence. GT26 gave us the opportunity to showcase that.”


GT26 included training scenarios across all U.S. Strategic Command mission areas, with a strong emphasis on nuclear readiness. During the exercise, personnel from the 5BW, 2BW and 91MW demonstrated their ability to maintain a strategic deterrent force that is safe, secure, effective, and credible.

A Humvee is parked on the flight line during Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 25, 2025. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command forces and assess joint operational readiness. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO i Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston
U.S. Airmen assigned to the 5th Maintenance Group, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, load AGM-86 air-launched cruise missiles onto a B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing during Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 22, 2025. Exercises continually develop Airmen and aircrew skill sets by improving operational capabilities and increasing mission readiness. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO i Senior Airman Kyle Wilson


“The American public should be very proud of their dedicated Airmen, and any potential adversaries should take seriously our combat power,” said Lamarand.


A team of teams including security forces, aircraft maintainers, flight crews, missileers, munitions experts, airfield managers, food service staff, and other critical support roles worked nonstop under elevated security measures to demonstrate their readiness and hone their skillsets.

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, is parked on the flight line during Exercise Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 23, 2025. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command forces and assess joint operational readiness. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO I Senior Airman Kyle Wilson
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 40th Airlift Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrives in support of Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, Oct. 18, 2025. Exercises like Global Thunder involve extensive planning and coordination to provide training opportunities for assigned units and forces. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO I Senior Airman Kyle Wilson


“I’m proud of the Rough Rider Airmen’s consistent dedication, and I’m proud we were able to showcase it during GT26,” said Col. Jimmy Schlabach, commander of the 91MW.


“Our around-the-clock readiness deters threats and protects the U.S. and our allies. Exercises like GT26 allow us to test and strengthen our capabilities and help us improve our lethal readiness,” said Schlabach.


GT26 reinforces readiness and operational skills for the 5BW, 2BW and 91MW, reaffirming Team Minot’s capability to deliver rapid and reliable global strike at any time.

Senior Airman Sierra Smith, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron topside maintainer, performs maintenance operations during Global Thunder 26 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 23, 2025. Global Thunder is an annual command and control exercise designed to train U.S. Strategic Command forces and assess joint operational readiness. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO I Airman 1st Class Vincent Padilla

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