Omaha Trophies presented to USSTRATCOM's finest

LA VISTA, Neb. - The mood in the air was jubilation as celebration’s merged to bring the presentation of the Omaha Trophy to coincide with the Strategic Air Command reunion.

The SAC Memorial and Dedication 20th Anniversary Reunion Reception and Grand Banquet was the gala event that set the backdrop for the presentation of the 2011 Omaha Trophy June 2.

Winners are the 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. for Strategic Aircraft Operations; the 67th Network Warfare Wing, Lackland AFB, Texas for Global Operations; the 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. , for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Operations; and the USS Alaska (SSBN 732), Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Ga. , for Submarine Ballistic Missile Operations.

Unique to this year’s presentation was the attendance of former SAC leaders. Retired Gen. Larry Welch, SAC commander from 1985-1986, was the guest speaker and provided comments on the history of SAC while congratulating the trophy recipients. The awards were presented by Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, and Gary Gates, Strategic Command Consultation Committee.

“I feel fortunate to be able to join the members of the SAC 20th Anniversary Reunion as STRATCOM honors you as the command’s best units,” Gates said. “On behalf of my 26 Strategic Command Consultation Committee colleagues, we are honored to join STRATCOM in saluting your outstanding achievements. ”

Units are presented the award for the high performance standards they demonstrate in support of USSTRATCOM missions. The award is presented annually with selections based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, and safety to name a few.

The 55th Wing distinguished itself by flying more than 12,400 hours on missions to deliver worldwide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; command and control; and electronic attack. The wing also provided global strategic deterrence and vital intelligence to national leaders, Combatant Commands and warfighters engaged in combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. The National Airborne Operations Center aircrews also logged 406 global sorties in support of the President and the Secretary of Defense.

The 67th Network Warfare Wing integrated network attack, defense and sustainment operations supporting functional and geographic COCOMS in addition to national and Department of Defense counter-terrorism strategy and objectives. Other achievements included leading more than 3,200 computer network exploits operations penetrating previously inaccessible targets, and supporting 39 Joint Cyber Attack Team missions.

The 90th Missile Wing exceeded the standards across the full spectrum of nuclear deterrence mission accomplishment in the areas of operations, security, maintenance, support and medical. The wing further exceeded standards by acing four higher headquarters inspections, including Nuclear Surety and Limited Nuclear Surety Inspections, in addition to a Combat Capability Evaluation and the wing’s first ever Limited Capability Evaluation. The wing also demonstrated a 99.6 percent sortie on-alert rate.

The USS Alaska (SSBN 732) flawlessly provided more alert coverage in 2011 than any other SSBN’s and completed more alert time than most SSBN’s combined. USS Alaska (SSBN 732) conducted three strategic deterrent patrols, maintaining 100 percent missile and communications readiness. In addition, the crew completed 11 nuclear weapon logistic operations and a 13 missile second stage motor inspection without incident. Additionally, the command boasts more than 365 without any alcohol related incidents.

The SCCC awards four outstanding units annually in the categories of Strategic Aircraft Operations, Global Operations, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Operations, and Submarine Ballistic Missile Operations. The categories reflect the command's primary lines of operation, continued emphasis on strategic deterrence, and their evolving role in global operations. The former Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee first presented the Omaha Trophy as a single trophy to the Strategic Air Command in 1971 on behalf of the citizens of Omaha. The number of awards increased over the years as the USSTRATCOM missions and organizational structure changed.