RAPID CITY, S.D. – Ellsworth Air Force Base B-1 bomber crews are participating in Global Thunder 22, an annual U.S. Strategic Command exercise.
During the exercise held this week, there is an increase in 28th Bomb Wing flights, including “multiple sorties in short windows of time,” according to a release from the base public affairs office. Because of the increased tempo, people will hear more bombers taking off from the base than usual; including on overnight missions.
Global Thunder 22 (GT22) provides training opportunities that exercise all USSTRATCOM mission areas, with a specific focus on nuclear readiness, GT22 will include the headquarters staff, USSTRATCOM components and subordinate units to enhance readiness and ensure a safe, secure, ready and reliable strategic deterrent force.
GT22 also involves key allied personnel and partners, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Allied personnel integrate into senior leadership teams and work across a broad spectrum of areas offering policy support and operational insight.
USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting.
The Strategic Command did not state when this exercise will end.
