91st MW earns 2014 Omaha Trophy

by Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

3/10/2015 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  -- The Rough Riders were named the 2014 Omaha Trophy recipient as the command's premier Intercontinental Ballistic Missile wing, in recognition of outstanding support to U.S. Strategic Command's global strategic deterrence mission over the last year.

This is the fifth time the wing has earned the Omaha Trophy and will be added to the 91st MW having earned the coveted Blanchard Trophy from the Air Force Global Strike Challenge along with the other awards last year.

The Omaha Trophy is awarded annually to four outstanding units that represent USSTRATCOM's mission areas, their role in global operations and USSTRATCOM's continued emphasis on strategic deterrence.

"The Omaha Trophy is the result of unwavering dedication to mission, leadership at all levels, and a reflection of our outstanding Airmen and their families," said Col. Mike Lutton, 91st MW commander. "Teamwork and integration across the wing and the outstanding mission support the Warbirds provided made this happen--Bully."

The four awards given are the Global Operations, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Submarine Ballistic Missile and Strategic Aircraft Operations trophies. Selections are based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, safety and factors such as community involvement and humanitarian actions.

"The 91st MW won the Omaha Trophy because all Airmen across the board take their jobs very seriously and preform their job at high levels," said Airman 1st Class Robert Cook, 91st Maintenance Operations Squadron mechanical and pneudraulics section technician. "It takes every shop working together fluidly to put ICBMs on alert and we demonstrate this daily."

Members of the 91st MW ensured their teammates were prepared to complete their assigned tasks and knew where they needed improvement.

"I spent half my time as a line crew member pulling about six to eight alerts a month," said Capt. Christopher Hall, 91st Operations Group ICBM combat crew flight commander. "During this time, our focus was doing the operational mission. We participated in tests and exercises and made sure we did it to the best of our abilities."

"It feels great to see all the hard work and dedication pay off. Many of the people in our office worked 12 hours or more on a consistent basis to ensure that we were meeting the mission requirements," he added. "This award validates all that hard work and says that it did not go unnoticed."

This trophy was first awarded in 1970 by the citizens of Omaha, Nebraska, through the Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee, to the most outstanding SAC wing in honor of the 25th anniversary of the SAC.

In an article written by USSTRATCOM honoring all the recipients for this award, U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander, praised the organizations for demonstrating "the highest standards of performance in support of USSTRATCOM's diverse missions."

Members of one unit that contributed to the wing's victory, the mechanical and pneudraulics section, said their crew was excited to hear the news that Minot had won the Omaha Trophy. It was especially nice to be recognized for all of the long hours and dedication they put into doing everyday maintenance.