Login
iscover
Four B-52 Stratofortress and more than 200 airmen have arrived in Guam to conduct Bomber Task Force missions.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The 23rd Bomb Squadron was deployed from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam earlier this month on 14June.
The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, nuclear and conventional heavy bomber able to travel at altitudes of 50,000 feet with an unrefuelled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles.
Missions are expected to support the US Indo-Pacific Command’s missions by integrating strategic bomber capabilities in a joint and coalition environment, to enhance the security and stability of allies and partners.
“Being here in the Indo-Pacific with the Bomber Task Force allows our forces to showcase our ability to deploy anytime, anywhere in support of the combatant commander’s objectives,” US Air Force BTF commander Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Loucks said.
“Training and operating in the priority theatre allows us to demonstrate our continued readiness, willingness, and commitment to our allies and partners.”
B-52 aircraft delivered 40 per cent of all the weapons dropped by coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm. The aircraft can also be used for ocean surveillance, night operations using night vision goggles, and assist in anti-ship and mine-laying operations.
All B-52s can be equipped with two electro-optical viewing sensors, a forward-looking infrared and advanced targeting pods to augment targeting, battle assessment and flight safety, further improving its combat ability.
The B-52 aircraft are able to carry armaments including AGM-129 advanced cruise missiles, AGM-86A air-launched cruise missiles, AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, AGM-142 Raptor missiles, 500-pound bombs, 1,000-pound bombs, AGM-86C conventional air-launched cruise missiles, joint stand-off weapons, joint direct-attack munitions, and wind-corrected munitions dispenser. As well as joint air-to-surface stand-off missiles, 32 small diameter bombs, 51,500-pound, 301,000-pound and 202,000-pound navy mines.
