The United States has deployed four B-52 bombers to Guam to conduct Bomber Task Force missions in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners, and joint forces, February 2022, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs said Wednesday.
More than 220 Airmen and four B-52’s assigned to the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces said in a statement.
The Air Forces said the arrival of the bombers demonstrates the U.S.’ security commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. Strategic Command routinely conducts BTF operations across the globe as a demonstration of U.S. commitment to collective defense and to integrate with Geographic Combatant Command operations, it said in a statement.
In this case, the BTF will support USINDOPACOM tasking while giving aircrews the opportunity to familiarize themselves with operating in a joint and coalition environment, the Air Forces said.
“Every bomber task force mission demonstrates the credibility of our forces to address a global security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than at any other time in our history,” Lt Col. Christopher Coleman, 96th EBS Commander said in the statement.
“Put simply, we are here to support a stable, secure, and free Indo-Pacific region,” Coleman added.
According to the US Air Forces, Col. Matthew McDaniel, the 2nd Bomb Wing Operations Group Commander, joined the expeditionary B-52 crew in their transit across the Pacific Ocean, the Air Forces said.
“Dynamic force employment is all about operating with a smaller footprint, on a shorter timeframe, and being strategically predictable, but operationally unpredictable,” said McDaniel, “The 2nd Bomb Wing is always ready and Lt Col Coleman’s team is here to demonstrate that fact.”
The arrival of the B-52H Stratofortress to Andersen AFB links U.S. Air Force personnel with their partners in the Indo-Pacific, enables collaborative training, and demonstrates U.S. commitment to the region, the Air Forces said.
The BTF also helps Airmen focus on the full spectrum of military operations, whether it’s combat missions or humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, the Air Forces added in the statement.
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