Pacific Perspective:B-52H Strategic Bombers Deployed from Minot Air Force Base

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers of the 23rd Bomb Wing out of Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota,have been deployed by Air Force Global Strike Command to Andersen Air Base,Guam on a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission.The mission will accomplish goals of the National Defense Strategy of the United States,projecting power for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is committed to this strategy of upholding a rules-based,free and open Indo-Pacific Region that protects the sovereignty of every nation and preserves freedom of navigation.Together with our Allies and Partners,the command says,the US is dedicated to maintaining a region comprised of nations that adhere to the international rule of law.* BTF missions keep aircrews in a high state of readiness,proficiency,and validate our always-ready global strike capability.The Department of Defense remains fully committed to defence and deterrence of any malign actors that would look to undermine or threaten our shared interests.BTF missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific Region by demonstrating the United States Air Force 's ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.Moreover,BTF missions provide opportunities to train and operate with Allies and Partners in joint and combined operations and exercises.BTF enhances readiness,to include joint and multilateral,to respond to any potential crisis or challenge in the Indo-Pacific Region.*BTF supports national security objectives through the speed,flexibility,and readiness of our strategic bombers.BTF also demonstrates cutting-edge capabilities;forward presence;and committment to our Allies and Partners.It augments the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) under the command of GEN Kenneth Wilsbach,USAF.He is also Air Component Commander,U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,and Executive Director Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff.PACAF is responsible in USAF activities spread over half the globe in a command that supports over 46,000 Airmen serving primarily in Japan,Korea,Hawaii,Alaska and Guam.GEN Wilsbach is a distinguished graduate of the University of Florida's ROTC program and earned his pilot's wings in 1986 as a distinguished graduate of Laughlin Air Force Base,Texas.He has commanded a fighter squadron;operations group;two wings;two Numbered Air Forces;and held numerous staff assignments.Prior to his current assignment,GEN Wilsbach was Deputy Commander U.S. Forces Korea.He also served as Commander Seventh Air Force,Pacific Air Forces,Osan Air Base,South Korea.*GEN Wilsbach is a command pilot with more thn five thousand hours in multiple aircraft,primarily in the F-15C,F-16C,MC-12W and F-22A.He has flown 71 combat missions in Operations Northern and Southern Watch (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).*GEN Wilsbach was promoted to General on 8 July 2020.*GEN Wilsbach's Awards and Decorations include:Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster;the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters;the Bronze Star Medal;the Meritorius Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster;and the Air and Space Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.*In one BTF mission,two Boeing B-52H Stratofortress nuclear-capable strategic bombers conducted a flyover at Changi Airbase East on 22 February 2024 at the Singapore Air Show 2024.The U.S. Department of Defense participated in the event with aerial demonstrations and static displays to build on already strong ties with Singapore;demonstrate flexible aircraft capbility;enable engagement with foreign Partners;and expand power projection capabilities.*Boeing (BA)

Demanding Scenario:Air Shielding NATO'S Eastern Flank

On 22 August 2022,NATO'S Allied Air Command (AAC) directed a large-scale,multinational drill over Slovakia.Participating were military personnel from France,Slovakia,the UK and the US.The complex,long-range operation had many of the Allies fly from their home bases,supported by air refueling tankers.Among the aircraft were fourth and fifth generation fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor,Rafale,MiG-29,and Eurofighter Typhoons,as well as B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota.The strategic bombers had flown from RAF Fairford,England on a Bomber Task Force mission. During the exercise,the formation flew against joint German/Netherlands Surface Based Air and Missile Defence Patriot Missile batteries that had been deployed to Slovakia to shield NATO'S Eastern Flank.The essential joint training involved executing precision strikes while enhancing Alliance interoperability and heightening readiness.It was the B-52s' first mission since arriving in England on 18 August.* According to Air Marshal Johnny Stringer,Deputy Commander AAC,the participation of such a diverse and capable array of Allied aircraft demonstrates the Alliance's ability to react to any threat across the Euro-Atlantic area,while also demonstrating the reach,interoperability and agility of the Allied forces as they ensure freedom of access and maintain collective security.The USAF bombers will continue to execute similar missions over the next few months in the European theatre of operations.* The Air Shielding drill prepared NATO forces to operate in a contested and sophisticated threat environment,thus ensuring a capable and credible response to any aggression such as that displayed by Russia in its senseless invasion of Ukraine's sovereign territory.After the Slovakia exercise,the B-52s were escorted by Turkiye F-16 Fighting Falcons through Turkish airspace.As for the fifth generation F-22s,they had arrived in Europe at RAF Lakenheath,England on 26 July en route to Poland's 32nd Tactical Air Base,Lask.The Raptors are out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,Alaska.They are deployed for four-five months in support of the Air Shielding mission,the purpose of which is to safeguard NATO Allies from air and missile attacks by leveraging both air and ground-based assets.Air Shielding provides a near seamless shield from the Baltic to the Black Seas.The F-22s are ideally suited to the mission,being a highly strategic warfighting platform.Over the next year,the Air Force will have various types of aircraft rotating into Europe for approximately four month deployments to supplement its permanent deployments.After a year,the Air Force will reassess and adjust as necessary,said U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Force Africa and Allied Air Command's new commander,General James B. Hecker.A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and veteran of the Afghan War,General Hecker was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster;the Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters;the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters;the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one service star;and the NATO Kosovo Medal,among many others.*

Large NATO Maritime Drills Commence in Baltic-strategic bombers deployed to Europe

Exercise BALTOPS 2015 has begun in the Baltic Sea area.The massive NATO drills got underway with ships from 17 NATO and partner nations sailing from Gdynia,Poland on 8 June.The annual exercise is designed to enhance flexibility and interoperability in order to strengthen combined response capabilities,and thus ensure regional stability.It will test the maritime defence capabilities of NATO and partner nations and feature an amphibious landing by 700 US,Swedish and Finnish troops.About 5600 air,ground and maritime forces will conduct air defence,maritime interdiction,anti-submarine warfare and amphibious operations in a joint environment.
The US-led exercise is under Commander,Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO.It will involve 49 ships,61 aircraft,a submarine and a landing force.Participants are:Belgium,Canada,Denmark,Estonia,Finland,France,Germany,Georgia,Latvia,Lithuania,the Netherlands,Norway,Poland,Sweden,Turkey,the UK and the US.According to Rear Admiral Brad Williamson,Commander,Standing NATO Maritime Group 2,the drills will provide another great training opportunity for our ships,and will give Alliance and partner nations the chance to operate at sea as part of a large multinational force.The ability of maritime forces to quickly integrate is the cornerstone of the Alliance.*
BALTOPS 2015 will demonstrate the resolve of Allied and partner forces to defend the Baltic region,and is much larger than last year's effort.As well,US Strategic Command and its component US Air Force Global Strike Command have deployed 3 B-52H Stratofortress bombers and 2 B-2A Spirit bombers to Europe to participate in both BALTOPS 2015 and Saber Strike 2015,which is a US Army Europe-led exercise.The B-52s were deployed from Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota to demonstrate the ability of AFGSC assets to project conventional air power anywhere,anytime by conducting flying missions with European nations.The assets were deployed to RAF Fairford,England on 5 June.*
Our partnership with the countries out here in US Air Forces Europe and Air Force Africa is significant,said Lieutenant Colonel Bradley Dyer,23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander.We need their support,and we want to assure them they have our support as well for any kind of conflicts that may arise in the future-our relationship with them is key,LTC Bradley emphasised.*
In addition to the B-52s,2 B-2A Spirit bombers were deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base,Missouri to RAF Fairford as well for hot-pit refueling and engine-running crew change skill tests,the Air Force said in a news release.The events were meant to demonstrate the ability of the aircraft to forward deploy and deliver conventional and nuclear deterrence anytime and anywhere.The bombers will integrate into several exercise activities,including air intercept training,simulated mining operations during Saber Strike,inert ordnance drops during BALTOPS and close air support over international waters in the Baltic Sea and the territory of the Baltic states and Poland.
The deployment to RAF Fairford was specifically designed and closely coordinated with the United Kingdom and our regional allies to ensure maximum opportunities to synchronise and integrate with their military assets,explained Admiral Cecil Haney,Commander US Strategic Command.

No Signs of Slowing Down:The Steadfast B-52H

In an unprecedented move,a US Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bomber called "Ghost Rider" has been taken out of retirement at the famous Boneyard storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,Arizona.Thousands of planes are kept in storage at the bone-dry desert tract and occasionally used for spare parts.Till now,though,none had ever been returned to flight.
Ghost Rider was found to have dry rot in its fuel lines and on its tyres,but after a bit of refurbishment,it passed a runway test of its steering and landing gear,and its eight Pratt&Whitney engines fired right up.The flight control systems worked perfectly as well,so on 13 February the sturdy bomber was flown to Barksadale AFB,Louisiana,one of two bases that host the B-52Hs;the other is Minot AFB in North Dakota.Ghost Rider will take the place of a B-52 damaged in a cockpit fire.
The B-52s played a major role in the Vietnam War from 1964-73.Thirty-one of them were shot down,with the loss of 25 crewmembers.After Vietnam,they went on to serve over Iraq,Yugoslavia and Afghanistan in Operations Desert Storm in 1991 and Desert Strike in 1996;Operation Allied Force in 1999;Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001;and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.The Stratofortress has been constantly upgraded and will be in service until 2045,according to the current plan.It has proven to be a superior economical and adaptable high subsonic speed bomber with substantial loiter capability.
In 2013,the fleet-wide technology upgrade called Combat Network Communications Technology,or CONECT,was begun to modernise technology,computing and flight deck avionics,and involved installing new modems,servers,radios,receivers,data links and digital workstations.From 2016-17,the Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade will be carried out,resulting in a 66% increase in weapons carriage capacity through installation of a digital interface and rotary launcher.JDAMS,aong with JASSM and MACD missiles will be carried internally in the weapons bay,giving the streamlined plane a 15% improvement in fuel mileage besides the increased firepower.
An airman enlisting today could well spend his or her entire career on the B-52H.*
Boeing(BA),United Technologies(UTX)