B-52 aircrews hone long-range ISR capabilities during PANAMAX 14

A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, sits ready for departure from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, prior to a mission to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations Aug. 11, 2014. Assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, the aircraft and seven-person aircrew participated in PANAMAX 2014, an annual, U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational exercise that focuses on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal. For Air Force Global Strike Command, PANAMAX was an opportunity to familiarize aircrews with the region and train in long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations – a unique mission set not normally associated with bomber operations. “In order to maintain the readiness of our forces, it is important to provide the opportunity for them to train and operate their capabilities in various geographical locations and environments,” said Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, commander of 8th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), located at Barksdale Air Force Base, and the Joint Functional Component Commander for Global Strike, U.S. Strategic Command, located at Offutt, Air Force Base, Nebraska. “Having a U.S. bomber presence and participation in a variety of multinational and joint exercises also demonstrates U.S. commitment and capability and contributes to security at home and abroad.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rebecca Imwalle/Released)