U.S. Strategic Command's Exercise Global Thunder set to begin Published Oct. 26, 2016 By U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) headquarters staff, components and task forces will participate in exercise Global Thunder, which starts Oct. 24. The annual command post and field training exercise is designed to train USSTRATCOM forces and assess joint operational readiness across all Unified Command Plan-assigned mission areas. "Testing our forces through a range of challenging scenarios validates the safety, security, effectiveness and readiness of the strategic deterrent we provide the nation," said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander. "U.S. Strategic Command forces are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing the credible deterrent capable of convincing potential adversaries that they cannot escalate their way out of a failed conflict, restraint is a better option." Global Thunder is both a command post and field training exercise to provide training from planning at the combatant command through execution at the tactical level, with a specific focus on cyber, space, missile defense and nuclear readiness. "Maintaining strategic stability in an era of evolving challenges requires innovative and comprehensive solutions," said Haney. "The scenarios presented in Global Thunder will drive the critical thinking needed to provide the president options that, in concert with a whole-of-government approach that includes our allies, are required to maintain twenty-first century deterrence." For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs Office at 402-294-4130 or USSTRATCOMPA@mail.mil or visit www.stratcom.mil.