BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 2nd Bomb Wing won the 2015 Omaha Trophy, naming it the best strategic bomber wing within U.S. Strategic Command, Feb. 3, 2016.
U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander, announced the winners of the 2015 Omaha Trophies in recognition of outstanding support to USSTRATCOM’s strategic deterrence, space and cyberspace missions.
Haney said the winning organizations demonstrated “the highest standards of performance in support of USSTRATCOM’s global, diverse missions.”
“We salute the members of these professional units for their outstanding contributions to twenty-first century strategic deterrence and extend appreciation for their contributions and congratulations on their selection for this prestigious award,” he added.
The 2nd Bomb Wing accomplishes nuclear and conventional deterrence missions on a daily basis, with resounding effects on a world-wide scale.
"Every day our outstanding Airmen epitomize innovation, professionalism and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We are incredibly proud of our team and the global impact they have by holding any target at risk around the globe," said Col Kristin E. Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander.
The Omaha Trophy, which dates back to the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, was originally created by the Strategic Command Consultation (SCC) Committee in 1971. At the time, a single trophy was presented annually as a token of appreciation to the command’s best wing.
Since then, the tradition has evolved to unit-level awards that recognize USSTRATCOM’s premier intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) wing, ballistic missile submarine, strategic bomber wing and global operations (space/cyberspace) unit. This year, a new category was added to include the combatant command’s top strategic aircraft wing.
Those receiving awards represent organizations throughout USSTRATCOM which are critical to fulfilling the combatant command's primary mission: to detect, deter and prevent strategic attacks against the United States and its allies.
“The Omaha Trophy is a source of pride not only for the 2nd Bomb Wing, but also for our entire Shreveport-Bossier community. Our success is the result of great Airmen and remarkable community support,” Goodwin added.
The 2015 Omaha Trophy recipient organizations are listed by category below:
- ICBM: 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
- Ballistic Missile Submarine: USS Wyoming (SSBN 742), Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia
- Strategic Bomber: 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana
- Strategic Aircraft: 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
- Global Operations: 460th Space Wing, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado
One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions, assigned through the Unified Command Plan, which include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting.
Information on this Press Release was taken from U.S. Strategic Command release