Global Strike Challenge | Video

Amy Fox | 11/8/2012

The sounds of cheering and sirens could be heard all throughout Minot Air Force Base today, as airmen returned home from the third annual Global Strike Challenge.

"The whole purpose of it is to hone our skills, get us better at what we do every day,” said Col. Robert J. Vercher, Minot Air Force Base 91st Missile Wing Commander.

The Global Strike Challenge is a competition for airmen across the country to demonstrate their mission, helping to stimulate different situations facing airmen in the line of duty.

"They figure out who is the best amongst them in the wing, and they spend months preparing going throughout the technical orders," Vercher explained.

"Airmen competed from loading bombs to simple things as security tactics,” Lt. Jose Davis, Minot Air Force Base Deputy Chief of Public Affairs. “All of it put together showed the proficiency of Minot Air Force Base’s capability to defend the United States from catastrophic disaster."

After the 91st missile wing and 5th bomb wing competed in a series of challenges, Minot took top honors.

"The Blanchard Trophy goes back more than 50 years, and it`s awarded to the best ICBM wing of the United States air force," said Vercher.

Today, it`s all about celebrating, but tomorrow, it`s back to business.

"We pretty much wiped the slate with a whole bunch of other bases in the Air Force. We`re going to celebrate today. We`re going to have a good time. But, tomorrow, it`s back to work and making sure we keep the country safe," said Davis.

While it`s sometimes hard to motivate airmen, Vercher is hoping the energy from the challenge will spread to all of the units on base.

"They go back into the line into the units and infuse them with everything they`ve learned to make us safely operated and maintain secure ICBM."

With all to the hardware in hand, the airmen at Minot Air Force Base continue to live out their motto, "Only the Best Come North."

Vercher says it`s been 10 years since Minot`s 91st Missile Wing has brought home the Blanchard Trophy.

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