U.S. Strategic Command kicked off its annual nuclear command and control training and readiness exercise, Global Thunder, on Tuesday.
As in previous years, Global Thunder 23 (GT23) includes an increase in bomber aircraft flights throughout the exercise, centered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska but involving all three legs of the U.S. nuclear triad.
The purpose of GT23 is to enhance nuclear readiness and ensure a safe, secure, and reliable strategic deterrence force, according to a Strategic Command (STRATCOM) statement announcing the beginning of the exercise.
In addition to U.S. personnel, GT23 will involve allied personnel from the U.K. and elsewhere. Military personnel from South Korea, Denmark, Canada and Australia have participated in previous iterations of the exercise.
STRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting.
As it often does when conducting practice exercises with U.S. nuclear forces, STRATCOM said GT23 is not in response to actions by any nation or other actors.
