The United States Strategic Command’s (USSTRATCOM) Global Thunder exercise, a nuclear command and control rehearsal, brings together personnel to validate communication networks, test decision-making processes, and ensure a safe, secure and effective strategic deterrent force.
The October 2025 exercise underscores USSTRATCOM’s commitment to readiness in an evolving security environment. Units from Europe to the Pacific will coordinate or participate in the annual exercise.
Past iterations involved multiple USSTRATCOM components and subordinate units participating live and virtually in rigorous simulated scenarios. In 2024, personnel conducted crisis action procedures, practiced rapid transmission of launch orders and coordinated timely responses.
The U.S. Defense Logistics Agency’s crisis management and crisis action teams participated in 2024, moving from a U.S. Army fort in Virginia to alternate sites while maintaining continuous operations. The drill highlighted the agency’s ability to pivot from peacetime to war and to sustain logistical support for surge operations, demonstrating that supply chains remain intact under duress.
The exercise also validates core nuclear command, control and operational procedures across the nuclear triad. Land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles and strategic bombers operate under simulated threat timelines to refine responsiveness. Strategic discussions, planning sessions and technology trials are woven into the scenario to test emerging capabilities and improve decision-making under pressure.
The exercise traditionally involves Allies and Partners. The focus on real-time command and control interoperability, the resilience of nuclear communication networks, and the testing of alternate command centers underscores the high level of readiness and dedication to effectiveness of the U.S. military’s nuclear forces and encourages multinational collaboration.
By demonstrating integrated command and control across the nuclear enterprise, Global Thunder illustrates that the U.S. is ready and capable. The display of resolve signals to potential adversaries that any strategic attack would be met with overwhelming force. At the same time, it reaffirms for Allies and Partners that the U.S. maintains a credible deterrent and is committed to collective security.