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'Mighty Eighth' delivers global combat power

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • Eighth Air Force Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Global Strike Command aircrews flew more than a dozen B-52 Stratofortress combat training missions recently with forces from 14 partner nations as part of the 2010 Rim of the Pacific exercise, commonly known as RIMPAC.

B-52 Stratofortress aircrews and maintainers from the 20th Bomb Squadron here and the 23rd Bomb Squadron at Minot AFB, N.D., participated in the exercise.

The exercise gave 8th Air Force aircrews the unique opportunity to increase their tactical flying proficiency in combined, live-fire operations with fighter, transport, airborne warning and refueling aircraft, according to officials.

"We flew more than 20 hours and dropped laser-guided bombs on the former USS New Orleans, an amphibious assault ship in the Pacific Ocean," said Lt. Col. Patrick McGlade, 20th Bomb Squadron director of operations. After dropping a final four laser-guided bombs onto the deck, the ship was sunk.

"This mission highlighted the B-52 Stratofortress' capability to strike any target, anywhere in the world," said Colonel McGlade.

The exercise also provided B-52 aviators an experience similar to real world combat operations, according to Lt. Col. Mark Ely, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander.

"Theater commanders know they can rely on the B-52 Stratofortress to deliver bombs on target 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year - worldwide," he said.

More than 170 aircraft, 32 ships, five submarines and 20,000 personnel participated from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Republic of Singapore, Thailand and other United States forces to enhance crew proficiency and promote international military cooperation.

Hosted by the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC is the 22nd in a series of multi-national combined and joint military exercises scheduled biennially and demonstrates a commitment to working with global partners in guarding the sea lanes of commerce and communication, protecting national interests abroad and ensuring freedom of navigation as a basis for global peace and prosperity, according to officials.