U.S. Strategic Command Conducts Exercise Global Thunder Published Oct. 30, 2018 By U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs U.S. Strategic Command OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) today commenced Global Thunder 2019, an annual command and control exercise that provides training opportunities that assess all USSTRATCOM mission areas and joint and field training operational readiness, with a specific focus on nuclear readiness. USSTRATCOM conducts global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services, appropriate U.S. government agencies, and allies to deter, detect and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies. For Global Thunder 2019, the headquarters staff, USSTRATCOM components and subordinate units are participating in this exercise to test readiness and ensure a safe, secure, ready and reliable strategic deterrent force. “The nuclear triad is the backbone of strategic deterrence,” said Gen. John E. Hyten, commander of USSTRATCOM. “Exercises like these integrate our unique capabilities across the joint force, in order to deter strategic threats and defend the nation. Our forces must be ready and prepared to execute orders globally wherever and whenever needed.” Global Thunder, a globally integrated exercise, also involves allied personnel from a variety of nations, including permanently assigned foreign liaison officers to USSTRATCOM from Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Republic of Korea, and the United Kingdom. Allied personnel integrate into senior leadership teams and work across a broad spectrum of areas, offering legal, public affairs and policy support; as well as, targeting and information operations insight. "Deterrence in the 21st century has to be a global approach, and it must involve our allies and partners," said Hyten. "Which is why Global Thunder is a multinational exercise that operates on a global scale.” Large-scale exercises, like Global Thunder, involve extensive planning and coordination to provide unique training for assigned units and our allies. USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, space operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting. For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs Office at 402-294-4130 or USSTRATCOMPA@mail.mil or visit www.stratcom.mil.