509th Bomb Wing earns second straight Omaha Trophy

U.S. Navy Adm. Rich Correll, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and Nebraska State Sen. Rita Sanders, a member of the Strategic Command Consultation Committee, presented the SCCC’s 2025 Omaha Trophy to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on May 26.

The 509th Bomb Wing was recognized as USSTRATCOM’s top performing strategic bomber unit of 2025, a designation highlighted by the wing’s execution of Operation Rough Rider and Operation Midnight Hammer.

“Stealth does not maintain itself, bombs do not load themselves, and facilities do not secure themselves,” Correll said. “At the end of the day, the most advanced aircraft in the world is just cold metal without Airmen breathing life into it. This award reflects a deep-rooted culture of apprenticeship that is the culture of our military.”

In the summer of 2025, Operation Midnight Hammer tested the wing’s global strike capabilities in an unprecedented way, with a select group from the command team and operations and maintenance groups given only weeks to plan a mission that sent seven B-2 Spirit aircraft loaded with GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites.

During Operation Rough Rider, B-2 Spirit aircraft delivered sustained precision strikes targeting the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen, marking the largest deployment of B-2s in history.

“I could not be prouder of how our Total Force Integration team performed in 2025,” said Col. Joshua Wiitala, 509th Bomb Wing commander. “Between [Operation] Midnight Hammer, [Operation] Rough Rider, and receiving our best nuclear surety inspection score on the record, the Airmen here made history and made our country safer.”

During the ceremony, Correll praised Airmen for their contributions to strategic deterrence and readiness. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for everything you have accomplished and what you continue to accomplish,” Correll said. “There are so many unsung heroes among all of you that went the extra mile to make sure that you could safely execute whatever task was in front of you. That is your legacy in paying it forward for our Air Force and for our joint force.”

The 509th Bomb Wing also earned the Omaha Trophy for top strategic bomber unit in 2024, marking back-to-back recognition that reinforces the standard expected of the U.S. Air Force’s premier bomb wing and its consistent dedication to national security.