U.S. Strategic Command Concludes Exercise Global Thunder 2023

U.S. Strategic Command concluded exercise Global Thunder 2023, which successfully tested and validated the nation’s nuclear command, control, and operational procedures.  

The exercise ran April 11-18 and involved more than 100,000 personnel from across the nuclear enterprise focused on ensuring our forces are ready to deter adversaries and, if necessary, employ forces as directed by the President. 

“Strategic deterrence is the bedrock of our nation’s national security. Our forces must be able to execute their mission at a moment’s notice,” said Gen. Anthony Cotton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command. “Exercises like Global Thunder train and prepare every member of our enterprise to address rising global threats.”

Global Thunder provides opportunities for U.S. Strategic Command personnel and units to train with allied nations and partner organizations to strengthen integration and enhance the readiness, effectiveness, and safety of America’s strategic deterrence force needed to confront various global challenges.

Planning for Global Thunder began more than a year ago and was not in response to actions by any nation.

“The real-world environment impacts how we view the training but does not impact what training is planned,” said Jeffery B. “J.B.” Miller, U.S. Strategic Command’s director of joint exercises, training, and assessments. “Global Thunder 2023 was a very complex exercise that allowed us to test 11 focus areas for us and our component commands.”

USSTRATCOM 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.

For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs office at 402-912-0020 or USSTRATCOMPA@mail.mil or visit www.stratcom.mil