The B-52 flew the 28-hour mission to demonstrate U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
This was part of a bomber task force dynamic force employment used by U.S. Strategic Command to conduct training with and in support of geographic combatant commands efforts to help maintain global stability and security. These types of missions support the National Defense Strategy's objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability.
"Bomber Task Force demonstrates U.S. capability to rapidly deploy to a forward operating base and execute long-range strike missions," said Lt. Col. Christopher Duff, 96th Bomb Squadron commander. "This sortie demonstrates our ability to reach out from home station, fly anywhere in the world and execute those missions, rapidly regenerate from a forward operating base and continue operations."
During the mission, the B-52 aircrew tested and assessed command and control capabilities to inform the development of contested and degraded communication tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure seamless joint interoperability.
"As we operate throughout the Indo-Pacific theater, our fleet units continue to seek out every opportunity to strengthen our capabilities and proficiency at conducting joint, combined, all-domain operations with our partner teams," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joshua Fagan, Task Force 70 air operations officer. "Some of the recent events bringing Air Force B-52s and B-1s, Navy aircraft and our ships at sea together on shared networks in support of integrated missions have been good opportunities for us to exercise the joint mission planning and coordination processes that we depend on to operate safely and effectively out here."
U.S. Strategic Command's bomber forces regularly conduct combined theater security cooperation engagements with allies and partners, demonstrating U.S. capability to command, control and conduct bomber missions around the world.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 4, 2020. The B-52 flew a 28-hour mission to demonstrate U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Richard P. Ebensberger)
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., lands at Andersen Air Base, Guam, July 4, 2020. The B-52 flew a 28-hour mission to demonstrate U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Crisp)
Aircraft from the Nimitz Carrier Strike Force and a B-52 Bomber from Barksdale Air Force Base, La. conduct integrated joint air operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) carrier strike groups are conducting dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea as the Nimitz Carrier Strike Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Stephens)
