B-2 bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing salvoed from Whiteman AFB, Mo., in a rapid-launch drill as part of US Strategic Command’s Global Thunder exercise. Most importantly a command and control exercise, the full-scale strategic deterrence drill tested the strategic bomber force’s ability to respond to an attack against the United States. Battle command staff, aircrew, maintainers, and support personnel put aircraft aloft, running response scenarios under simulated Presidential direction around the clock, during the Oct. 19-26 exercise. Global Thunder tested “all mission areas” within STRATCOM at the component, task-force, and unit level, to “deter and, if necessary, defeat, a military attack against the United States,” stated wing officials. (Whiteman report by SrA Laura Goodgame)
When Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rolled out an expansive acquisition reform agenda earlier this month, he promised aggressive implementation and reorganization aimed at transforming the way the Pentagon develops and fields weapons and platforms. The plan appears to have been well-received by past administration officials and lawmakers from both parties who…
