US Strategic Command Concludes Global Joint Operations Involving Nuclear Attack Scenarios
Jonathan Edwards / Washington Newsday
(November 15, 2020) — The US Strategic Command announced on Wednesday the successful completion of “Global Thunder 21”, an annual exercise involving over 150,000 employees.
The nine-day command and control exercise focuses on realistic training scenarios for nuclear readiness of US forces around the world, allied nations and partner organizations.
It is designed to deter and thwart a simulated strategic attack against the United States, USSTRATCOM officials said in a press release.
The exercise is essentially a dress rehearsal of actions to be taken in the event of a nuclear war, with parts taking place at various locations, including USSTRATCOM headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo, and Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
“Global Thunder 21 also involves Allied personnel from Australia and the United Kingdom,” USSTRATCOM said in a statement at the beginning of Global Thunder 21. “Allied personnel will be integrated into senior management teams and will work in a wide range of areas, providing public affairs and political support as well as insight into deterrence and information operations.
The event lasted a year of planning, according to a USSTRATCOM statement on Wednesday.
How to Prepare for Nuclear War
“Bravo Zulu to all who were involved in the development and conduct of this year’s exercise,” said Admiral Charles Richard, USSTRATCOM Commander, at the end of the exercise. “Now more than ever, I have full confidence in the men and women who are standing guard around the globe, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and who provide the credible deterrent that underlies all other joint force operations.
“Throughout the entire exercise, USSTRATCOM continued to fulfill its global responsibility around the clock, including strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, joint operations in the electromagnetic spectrum, global attacks, missile defense, and analysis and target acquisition,” he added.
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