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B-2 Spirits depart Andersen AFB following routine deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cierra Presentado
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Three U.S. B-2 Spirits redeployed to the continental United States following a deployment to Andersen AFB, Guam as part of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.

The strategic bombers, and approximately 200 support Airmen assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo, deployed to Andersen, Aug. 6, to improve combat readiness and ensure regional stability.

"This training deployment demonstrates continued U.S. commitment to global strategic bomber operations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and exercises the President's credible and flexible military options to meet national security obligations for the U.S. and its Allies," said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander.

This deployment allowed Anderson AFB Airmen to exercise B-2 specific support while re-familiarizing the Missouri-based B-2 Airmen with the region. The team included maintainers, medical and communications Airmen who deployed with the B-2s to help maintain Air Force operational and support capabilities and evaluating the readiness of these assets through routine training sorties around the Pacific region. The deployment also offered aircrews the opportunity to hone skills in several key capabilities.

"This is an invaluable opportunity that allows us to train and integrate with U.S. Pacific Command," said Maj. Aaron Hager, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "The training conducted during this deployment ensures our crews stay proficient in crucial skill sets such as command and control, air refueling and weapon load training."

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Youman, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron quality assurance inspector, has deployed to Andersen four times.

"Each time I've been here, I've always performed the same specialty; this is my first time being able to use the hot-refueling method on the aircraft," said Youman. "Basically, we are able to refuel the B-2 while it is running."

The hot-refueling capability ensures the B-2's combination of stealth, long range, large payload and precision weaponry can return to the fight more rapidly, providing decision makers with the ability to project power and deliver decisive effects.

From the crew chiefs to the weapons loaders, each specialty is needed for the B-2s to maintain a forward presence and remain a reliable regional partner.

The deployment also supports U.S. efforts to build and foster partnerships with Asia-Pacific allies.

"Tailoring exercises specific to the AOR during deployments is vital to ensure we have the right mix of aircraft and skill to provide our nation's leaders with credible options and to assure our allies of our commitment," said Maj. Gen. Scott A. Vander Hamm, Eighth Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike commander, who leads the planning and execution of strategic deterrence and global strike operations for USSTRATCOM.

Additionally, allies in the region benefit from training and interaction with U.S. forces there.

"Deploying forces throughout the Pacific strengthens military-to-military relationships, promotes regional security, improves combined tactical air operations competence, and enhances interoperability of forces, equipment and procedures," said Vander Hamm.

PACOM has maintained a deployed strategic bomber presence in the region for over a decade, but the last extended deployment for the B-2 to Guam took place in January 2012.

"It is important for U.S. Strategic Command to continue to project global strike capabilities and extended deterrence against potential adversaries while providing assurance to our allies through deployments such as this," said Haney. "The U.S. is committed to regional security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and USSTRATCOM forces are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week conducting operations to detect and deter strategic attack against the United States of America and our allies. Strategic bomber deployments such as these are just one way in which USSTRATCOM supports USPACOM in accomplishing that stability."

The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the aircraft represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program; it brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

- USSTRATCOM Office of Public Affairs contributed to this story.