Global Thunder 18
U.S. Air Force crew chiefs assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base prepare a B-52 Stratofortress prior to take off during Exercise Global Thunder 2018 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 4, 2017. Global Thunder is an annual U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) exercise designed to provide training opportunities to test and validate command, control and operational procedures. The training is based on a notional scenario developed to drive execution of USSTRATCOM and component forces’ ability to support the geographic combatant commands, deter adversaries and, if necessary, employ forces as directed by the President of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gabriel Stuart)