The Air Force this week ended the its fourth Global Strike Challenge event, a competition designed to highlight the best units across the nuclear command.
The 2014 challenge is the first since the command began to deal with large-scale morale issues, cheating scandals and multiple fired commanders dating back to early 2013. The winners of the 2014 challenge include units that have faced setbacks within the past two years amid the scandal.
The challenge includes more than 30 awards for best units, graded based on how they perform in a series of challenges and inspections.
"The importance of this mission to our nation's security cannot be overstated," Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said at the end of the challenge. "It is a serious business requiring a team of dedicated professionals who remain ready 24/7, 365 days a year. Global Strike Challenge enhances mission effectiveness and readiness by testing the all-around skills, knowledge, discipline, precision, and expertise required to perform the nuclear deterrence and global strike missions."
The 2014 Blanchard Trophy for best missile wing went to the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The same wing sidelined 19 of its missile officers in 2013 following an "unsatisfactory" rating on part of an inspection. The award came one day after Global Strike Command said it had relieved a squadron commander at Minot, Lt. Col. Jimmy "Keith" Brown, because of a loss of confidence in his ability to lead. Another Minot commander, Col. Richard Pagliuco, commander of the 91st Operations Group, was reprimanded for a failure "to promote and safeguard" the moral and well-being of his airmen.
"Competitions such as these result in a stronger nuclear enterprise and bring out the very best in our airmen," James said at the challenge's closing ceremony. "The men and women of the 91st Missile Wing displayed the collective pride, professionalism, discipline, and excellence to emerge as the best missile wing in the Air Force. Winning the Blanchard trophy is a reflection of the dedicated hard work and commitment of the entire Minot community."
Several of the awards for security forces teams were presented to the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. The security forces airmen there have seen recent leadership changes after the commander of the 341st Security Forces Group, Col. David Lynch, was relieved due to a loss in confidence of his ability to lead last August. The change came following an unsatisfactory rating during an inspection.
The 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, was awarded for the best Emergency War Order Crew, best ICBM munitions team and best electronic laboratory team. This award came the day after the Associated Press reported that the wing's vice commander, Col. Carl Jones, was dismissed for a loss of trust and confidence in his leadership following accusations of conduct unbecoming and cruelty and maltreatment of a subordinate. Jones has been reassigned as a special assistant to the wing commander.
The full list of winners:
Category Winner
Fairchild Trophy for Best Bomb Wing 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Blanchard Trophy for Best ICBM Wing 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
LeMay Trophy (Best Bomb Squadron) 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Mitchell Trophy (Best Bomb) 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Linebacker Trophy (Best B-52 Squadron) 307th Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Bartsch Trophy (Best electronic countermeasures) 53rd Wing, Eglin AFB, Florida
Eaker Trophy (Best B-1 Squadron) 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas
Tibbets Trophy (Best B-2 Squadron) 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Best Security Forces M4 Shooter 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Best Security Forces M9 Shooter 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Best Security Forces M203 Shooter 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best Security Forces M240 Crew 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Best Security Forces Firing Team 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Best Security Forces Tactics 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Best Security Forces Mental and Physical Challenge 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
Charlie Fire Team (Best Security Forces) 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Best Bomber Nuclear Load Team 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Best Bomber Conventional Load Team 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Best Bomber Conventional Aircraft Crew Chief Team 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Best Bomber Nuclear Aircraft Crew Chief Team 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Best Bomber Conventional Munitions Maintenance Team 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Best Bomber Nuclear Munitions Maintenance Team 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
Ellis Giant Sword (Best Bomber Maintenance) 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
Best Helicopter Search and Rescue Crew 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best Helicopter Tactical Crew 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Best Helicopter Emergency Security Response Crew 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Bourland Trophy (Best Helicopter Squadron) 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best ICBM Electronic Laboratory Team 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Best ICBM Mechanical and Pneudralics Team 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best ICBM Power, Refrigeration, Electrical, Laboratory Team 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best ICBM Munitions Team 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Blackburn Trophy (Best ICBM Maintenance) 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Klotz Trophy (Best ICBM and Helicopter Operations) 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Linhard Trophy (Best ICBM Ops Crew) 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
McMahon Trophy (Best Weapons System) 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Neary Trophy (Best EWO Crew) 90th Missile Wing, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
2nd Place Innovation Trophy 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri
1st Place Innovation Trophy 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Spirit Bell (awarded to the team who best represents Global Strike Challenge teamwork and esprit de corps) 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
