Team Barksdale soars through Global Thunder 15

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - --  Airmen from Air Force Global Strike Command, 8th Air Force, 2nd Bomb Wing and 307th Bomb Wing participated in Exercise Global Thunder 15 from Oct. 17 to 28.

Exercise Global Thunder 15 is U.S. Strategic Command's annual field training and battle staff exercise, designed to exercise all mission areas with primary emphasis on nuclear command and control.

"Our people did incredible work throughout Global Thunder," said Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander. "Whether it was launching sorties across the world, or implementing a local barrier defense plan, we demonstrated our readiness and ability to support the nation's strategic deterrence capability."

Team Barksdale's Airmen worked day and night, demonstrating excellence throughout the intense nine-day exercise.

"Our goal is to prove to ourselves and to USSTRATCOM that we can generate nuclear capability," said Senior Master Sgt. Walt Leitnaker, 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron lead production supervisor. "GT comes around once a year, so we posture ourselves for success."

While operations on the flightline were the most visible portion of the exercise, the 608th Air Operations Center supported GT 15 behind the scenes by delivering US Strategic Command combat power, globally, on demand.

"During Global Thunder 15, the [608th AOC] exercised its capability to use multiple communications links to USSTRATCOM assets, and practiced defending against cyber-attacks on those links," said Lt. Col. Amber Peconga, 608th AOC strategy division chief.

The 608th didn't work alone, however. They partnered with the 102nd Air Operations Group, Otis Air Natl. Guard Base, Mass. to create a combined air, space and cyberspace impact.

"It was a team effort, and we couldn't have done it without the support of all of USSTRATCOM's components and on-station support of our Air National Guard partners," Peconga said. "While GT 15 is a learning environment, there is no doubt that the skills and abilities practiced during the exercise by all the players are key to our ability to demonstrate that the US is unmatched in our ability to command, control and deliver devastating combat power, globally, on demand."

Additionally, Task Force 204 provided GT 15 command and control functions to facilitate bomber presentation to USSTRATCOM.

"The exercise was a great success in that it provided an excellent opportunity to practice the Task Force's vital command and control role for USSTRATCOM's strategic bomber and reconnaissance forces," said Lt. Col. Mike Thompson, TF-204 deputy director and 608th Strategic Operations Squadron commander. "The interaction between TF-204, the bomb wings... and USSTRATCOM was very positive and brought out several lessons learned to improve future operations."

Team Barksdale's successful execution of GT 15 echoes USSTRATCOM's objective.

"I have been charged with providing and maintaining a credible and responsive 21st Century strategic deterrent to ultimately provide the President of the United States with flexible options with adequate decision space, and should that deterrence fail, to be responsive," said Adm. Cecil Haney, USSTRATCOM commander. "The stellar work accomplished by the thousands of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and dedicated civilians during Global Thunder 15 underscores my confidence in telling the President, 'We are ready 24/7."

By participating in GT 15, Team Barksdale demonstrated the standard of excellence they live by daily in pursuit of their mission providing decisive nuclear deterrence, conventional firepower to combatant commanders for global strike operations anytime, anywhere.