Bombers Surge within the Pacific: B-52s Arrive in Guam, B-1s in Japan

The U.S. Air Power’s bomber presence within the Indo-Pacific swelled considerably prior to now two weeks, as extra B-52 Stratofortresses arrived on Guam and B-1 Lancers landed in Japan. 

B-52s and Airmen from the twentieth Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Power Base, La., landed at Andersen Air Power Base, Guam, on July 5. They be a part of B-52s from Minot Air Power Base, N.D., that deployed to Guam final month on a Bomber Process Power mission. 

“The Bomber Process Power is designed to reinforce the high-end readiness of the bomber drive whereas additionally advancing our interoperability with allies and companions,” stated Lt. Col. Jared Patterson, twentieth EBS commander, in a press release. “Every mission flown additional demonstrates our potential to supply agile fight prepared forces and long-range strike capabilities to combatant commanders across the globe.” 

5 days later, two B-1s and round 25 Airmen from Dyess Air Power Base, Texas, arrived at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on a separate Bomber Process Power rotation. 

“Having the B-1 right here in Japan additional showcases america’ dedication to the Indo-Pacific area and our Allies and companions,” stated Lt. Col. Andrew Marshall, 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander, in a PACAF launch. 

Since arriving in Guam in mid-June, the Minot B-52s have flown integration workouts over the Korean Peninsula and had been the primary USAF B-52s to land in Indonesia. Inside the previous week, the bombers additionally took half within the Northern Edge navy train within the Gulf of Alaska. 

Bomber exercise within the Pacific has surged with elevated tensions within the area. Up to now six months alone, USAF bombers flew greater than half a dozen sorties over the Korean Peninsula and carried out a number of integration workouts with the Japan Air Self-Protection Power. 

Whereas bombers in Guam are widespread, nonetheless, deploying B-1s to Misawa is uncommon. B-1s have hardly ever flown out of Japan on Bomber Process Power deployments prior to now. Their arrival follows a Stars & Stripes report July 12 that one of many Minot B-52s was compelled to make a uncommon emergency touchdown at Yokota Air Base, Japan, as a result of an in-flight upkeep challenge. Additional particulars in regards to the trigger haven’t been launched.