Airman 1st Class Bryan Blancas, 5th Security Forces Squadron defender, checks a flightline access badge during Global Thunder 2019 at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Oct. 30, 2018. Global Thunder is an annual U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) exercise designed to provide training opportunities to test and validate command, control and operational procedures. The training is based on a notional scenario developed to drive execution of USSTRATCOM and component forces’ ability to support the geographic combatant commands, deter adversaries and, if necessary, employ forces as directed by the President of the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa M. Akers)