In a major strategic power projection, all three U.S. Air Force strategic bombers carried out an integrated mission for the first time in t...
In a major strategic power projection, all three U.S. Air Force strategic bombers carried out an integrated mission for the first time in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region on Aug 17.
The Air Force Global Strike Command's B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, simultaneously took to the sky during their first integrated bomber, flew a formation pass over Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, dispersed and then simultaneously conducted operations in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia.
The flight also marked the integration of three heavy aircraft with distinctive features.
The eight engined subsonic B-52 first entered service in the 1955 and is one of the longest running aircraft program. The aircraft marked 60 years in 2015 and is expected to fly until 2040.
It is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons and has a typical combat range of more than 8,800 miles without aerial refueling.
The four engined supersonic B-1 Lancer entered USAF service in 1986. The aircraft featured a blended wing design, and can operate in low and high speeds due to its variable sweep wing.
The B-2 is a stealth bomber with flying wing design for penetrating heavily defended enemy facilities unnoticed. The type entered service in 1997 and can carry 40,000 lb (18,000 kg) weapon payload to over 6,900 miles unrefueled.
Several B-1s and more than 300 Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, arrived at Andersen AFB, in early August to replace the B-52s assigned to Minot AFB, North Dakota. Effective Aug. 15, the B-1s are temporarily located at Guam to carry out US Pacific Command's (USPACOM) Continuous Bomber Presence mission.
The B-52 Stratofortress were deployed from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
The three B-2s also arrived in theater from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 9 to conduct local sorties and regional training and integrate with partner nations.
USPACOM’s area of responsibility covers 52 percent of the globe, which makes strategic bombers an effective long-range global attack capability, assuring our allies while deterring potential adversaries.
The Air Force Global Strike Command's B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, simultaneously took to the sky during their first integrated bomber, flew a formation pass over Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, dispersed and then simultaneously conducted operations in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia.
The flight also marked the integration of three heavy aircraft with distinctive features.
The eight engined subsonic B-52 first entered service in the 1955 and is one of the longest running aircraft program. The aircraft marked 60 years in 2015 and is expected to fly until 2040.
It is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons and has a typical combat range of more than 8,800 miles without aerial refueling.
The four engined supersonic B-1 Lancer entered USAF service in 1986. The aircraft featured a blended wing design, and can operate in low and high speeds due to its variable sweep wing.
The B-2 is a stealth bomber with flying wing design for penetrating heavily defended enemy facilities unnoticed. The type entered service in 1997 and can carry 40,000 lb (18,000 kg) weapon payload to over 6,900 miles unrefueled.
Several B-1s and more than 300 Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, arrived at Andersen AFB, in early August to replace the B-52s assigned to Minot AFB, North Dakota. Effective Aug. 15, the B-1s are temporarily located at Guam to carry out US Pacific Command's (USPACOM) Continuous Bomber Presence mission.
The B-52 Stratofortress were deployed from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
The three B-2s also arrived in theater from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Aug. 9 to conduct local sorties and regional training and integrate with partner nations.
USPACOM’s area of responsibility covers 52 percent of the globe, which makes strategic bombers an effective long-range global attack capability, assuring our allies while deterring potential adversaries.
