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Tinker units support large scale command and control exercise

  • Published
  • By Maj. Jon Quinlan
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Elements of the 507th Air Refueling Wing and the 552nd Air Control Wing participated in U.S. Strategic Command's annual field training and battle staff exercise, Global Thunder 15 and North American Aerospace Defense Commands exercise Vigilant Shield 15, Oct. 20 - 29 Oct.

The total force effort from the Reserve and Active Duty brought KC-135R Stratotanker and E-3 Airborne Warning and Control support and provided unit training in global command and control operations to deter and detect strategic attacks against the U.S. and its allies.

Alert crews and the command post were busy once the first message was delivered, according to the 507th Operations Support Squadron's plans shop. Operations and maintenance crews had KC-135s prepared for short notice launches all week. All KC-135R alert jets launched on time and provided 100 percent of their tasked fuel offload to aircraft in support of the nuclear exercise.

"The United States' ability to maintain a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent is foundational to our national security and contributes to the security of our allies and partners," said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander. "This exercise, and our continued focus on maintaining key capabilities and skills, ensures USSTRATCOM's strategic forces remain relevant and ready, 24/7, providing flexible and credible options for the President and the Department of Defense."

Exercise Global Thunder is conducted in concert with North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command's exercise Vigilant Shield 15, which aims to train participants in homeland defense.

Both exercises provide battle staff training designed to exercise all command mission areas in space, cyberspace, missile defense, combating weapons of mass destruction, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance with primary emphasis on nuclear command and control. 

Global Thunder provides participating components, task forces, units, command posts and bomber wings opportunities to train and assess joint operational readiness to deter, and if necessary defeat, a military attack against the U.S. and to employ forces as directed by the president.

Nearly all units across Tinker AFB participated in Vigilant Shield as base security and protection measures were in place across the board. Force protection changes, building security, operational security procedures and more were all exercised, according to exercise directors.   

Crews from the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron deployed crews, maintenance, staff, and E-3 AWACS to support the exercise at Goose Bay, Canada.  The crews flew multiple sorties executing tactical command and control in support of the Air Sovereignty Long Range Detection Team with the Canadian Air Defense Sector, according to 552nd ACW officials. 

The crews took advantage of the training opportunities to perform defensive counter air and offensive counter air missions with Canadian CF-18s and U.S. F-15s while support air refueling control with KC-135s, according to the 552nd Operations Group.  Additionally, maintenance personnel achieved an impressive 100% aircraft maintenance utilization rate during the exercise.