US Strategic Command’s Global Thunder exercise last June was the most extensive nuclear command, control, and communications event of its kind in more than a decade, says Gen. Kevin Chilton, STRATCOM boss. “It demonstrated the full range of nuclear deterrence capabilities by integrating submarine strategic deterrent patrols, more than 90 aircraft sorties, an ICBM test launch, and five days of continuous airborne command-and-control operations,” Chilton told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 26. He added, “Global Thunder’s success demonstrated the readiness of America’s strategic forces.” STRATCOM has expanded Global Thunder from a command post exercise to a more extensive field exercise as part of the Defense Department’s efforts to restore the focus on deterrence and the nuclear mission. Global Thunder is normally an annual event, but its dates are not disclosed beforehand, a STRATCOM spokesman told the Daily Report Wednesday. (Chilton prepared remarks)
The Pentagon is counting on Congress to navigate a legislative tightrope and pass a party-line bill to fund nearly a quarter of its $1.5 trillion budget request for fiscal 2027, including billions of dollars for top priorities like Golden Dome, the F-35, munitions, and unmanned systems. Experts and lawmakers from…