U.S. Strategic Command Conducts Exercise Global Lightning

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander | U.S. Navy Adm. Charles “Chas” Richard, commander of U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), speaks to his key staff on the battle deck of USSTRATCOM’s command and control facility (C2F) during Exercise Global Lightning 20 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Jan. 30, 2020. Global Lightning is an annual command and control exercise that employs global operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services, U.S. government agencies, and allies to deter, detect and, if necessary, defeat strategic attacks against the United States and its allies. This is the first major exercise USSTRATCOM conducted entirely from the C2F, the command’s newest weapon system that enables it to connect to national leadership, all three legs of the triad, and other platforms key to executing operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ian Hoachlander)  

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NE, UNITED STATES

01.23.2020

Story by Karen Singer 

U.S. Strategic Command

U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) commenced Exercise Global Lightning 2020 today, an annual command post and battle staff exercise designed to train Department of Defense forces and assess joint operational readiness across all of USSTRATCOM's mission areas.

The exercise provides training opportunities for USSTRATCOM headquarters staff and components participating in this exercise to integrate and synchronize efforts across several combatant commands. Global Lightning 20 is part of the Joint Staffs Globally-Integrated Exercise 20-2, U.S. Cyber Command's Exercise Cyber Lightning 2020, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command's Exercise Vigilant Shield 2020, U.S. Transportation Command's Exercise Turbo Challenge and a U.S. Space Command exercise.

Global Lightning also involves allied personnel from a variety of nations, including permanently assigned foreign liaison officers to USSTRATCOM from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Allied personnel integrate into senior leadership teams and work across a broad spectrum of areas, offering legal, public affairs and policy support, as well as operational insight.

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 [e-mail], or visit www.stratcom.mil.

• Date Taken: 01.23.2020
• Date Posted: 01.24.2020 16:26
• Story ID: 360326
• Location: OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NE, US