Bomb wing balances training with inspection

by Tech. Sgt. Ted Daigle
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

11/5/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Reservists in the 307th Bomb Wing handled the tasks of participating in exercise Global Thunder 2013 and a nuclear operational readiness inspection at Barksdale and Minot AFB, N.D., Oct. 24-Nov. 5.

Global Thunder is U.S. Strategic Command's annual field training and battle staff exercise. It trains Airmen to deter, and if necessary, defeat a military attack against the United States.

The exercise and inspection marked a special moment in the military capability of the wing, according to Col. Jonathan Ellis, 307th BW commander.

"This is the capstone event in our journey to complete the building of the Air Force Reserve Command's nuclear bomber mission," he said.

Two nuclear-qualified crews from the 343rd Bomb Squadron participated in the NORI with active-duty Airmen from Barksdale's 2nd BW and Minot's 5th BW.

The NORI is mandated on a regular basis by Air Force Global Strike Command, said Lt. Col. Robert Burgess, 343rd BS commander. "Participation in both Global Thunder 2013 and the NORI validates the nuclear mission of the wing.

"We were initially certified in the nuclear mission at the beginning of the year, so this is our first nuclear readiness inspection," he said. "Successfully participating in the exercise and inspection proves we are equal partners in the total force enterprise."

Ellis said juggling Global Thunder and the NORI enhances the preparedness of the 307th BW for future training and real-world situations.

"We fight the way we train, and this exercise gives us the opportunity to practice our processes, find the stress points and see where we need to concentrate our training efforts," he said. "As a result, we will have a stronger, more capable war fighting cadre."

According to Ellis, the total team effort displayed by command post controller, maintainers, aircrews and security forces personnel made the training effort successful.

"I am exceptionally happy with the performance of all of the 307th BW warriors who took part in Exercise Global Thunder," he said. "We have shown ourselves to be integral members of the nation's nuclear enterprise in support of Air Force Global Strike Command's mission."