Todd Jacobson
NS&D Monitor
5/16/2014
U.S. strategic forces conducted a massive nuclear response drill this week dubbed “Global Lightning 14,” but officials say it’s not in response to Russia’s nuclear exercises last week. According to a statement from U.S. Strategic Command, the five-day exercise that was slated to wrap up May 16 included 10 B-52 Stratofortresses and up to six B-2 Spirit bombers to “demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness in the training scenarios throughout the continental U.S.” Strategic Command said the exercise was planned for more than a year and is “based on a notional scenario” and “unrelated to real-world events,” but the timing is certainly curious.
Just last week, Moscow did its own bit of saber-rattling with Russian President Vladimir Putin overseeing nuclear exercises that included tests of intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. “This exercise provides unique training opportunities to incorporate the most current technology and techniques in support of our mission. Continued focus and investment in our strategic capabilities allow USSTRATCOM to deter, dissuade, and defeat current and future threats to the U.S. and our allies," Strategic Command chief Adm. Cecil Haney said in a statement.
In response to questions, StratCom spokeswoman Lt. Col. Stephanie Bounds said StratCom does not provide details about the exercises, but she said it was “designed to test and validate command and control procedures for U.S. Strategic Command and its subordinate units.” She added: “Just as technology changes, so do the threats. This exercise provides the opportunity to incorporate the most current technology and techniques in support of our mission. U.S. Strategic Command is constantly honing its capabilities to deter, dissuade, and defeat current and future threats to the U.S. and our Allies.”
