A B-52 Stratofortress is parked on the Andersen airfield for pre-flight inspection at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 31, 2012. The 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen make sure the B-52 is ready for the flight in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos)
Tech. Sgt. Ross Haverstock checks a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft forms at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 3, 2012. The 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen make sure the B-52 is ready for the flight in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos)
Staff Sgt. Oliver Johnson, 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the gages on a B-52 Stratofortress at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 31, 2012. The 36th EAMXS Airmen make sure the B-52 is ready for the flight in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos)
Airman 1st Class Bruce Brimm, 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the tire pressure on the B-52 Stratofortress during a pre-flight inspection at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 31, 2012. The 36th EAMXS Airmen make sure the B-52 is ready for the flight in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos)
Airman 1st Class Bruce Brimm, 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, checks the panels underneath the wing of a B-52 Stratofortress at Andersen Air Force Base, Gaum, July 31, 2012. The 36th EAMXS Airmen make sure the B-52 is ready for the flight in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos)
Staff Sgt. Oliver Johnson, 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, holds the flashlight while Airman 1st Class Bruce Brimm, 36th EAMXS crew chief, inspects the exterior of a B-52 Stratofortress at Andersen Air Force Base, Gaum, July 31, 2012. The 36th EAMXS Airmen make sure the B-52 is ready for the flight in support of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos)
by 2nd Lt. Sarah Bergstein
36th Wing Public Affairs
8/6/2012 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- Members from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., participated in nine sorties in support of this year's Rim of the Pacific exercise July 11-31 in and around training areas surrounding the Hawaiian islands.
Six B-52 Stratofortresses from the 69th EBS, accompanied by more than 200 Airmen, are currently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, in support of U.S. Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence to maintain security and stability in the Western Pacific.
"RIMPAC reminds us how vital it is to train with our fellow U.S. forces as well as our international partners around the globe, enabling us to work together and respond effectively if needed," said Col. Randy Kaufman, 36th Operations Group commander. "The 69th EBS' participation in RIMPAC, not only shows their ability to support PACOM's CBP, but also the global readiness they bring to the fight."
RIMPAC is a biennial multinational maritime exercise held by commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Beginning in 1971 and now in its 23rd year, RIMPAC boasts 22 participating nations, 42 surface ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel.
Scheduled from June 27 to Aug. 9, the theme of RIMPAC 2012 is, "Capable, Adaptive, Partners."
"Our participation in a multi-national exercise like RIMPAC affords us the opportunity to improve interoperability and strengthen relationship with our regional partners," said Lt. Col. Doug Gosney, 69th EBS commander. "Additionally, our aircrews get first-rate training and gain invaluable experience by operating in this dynamic, joint coalition environment. RIMPAC provided an unmatched training opportunity for my aviators."
The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The primary objective of bomber participation in this year's RIMPAC exercise was to enhance crew proficiency and promote international military cooperation.
"These long-duration sorties helped simulate our real-world taskings," said Gosney. "Employing with other Air Force assets, our sister services and the nations of the Pacific theater afforded us a unique training opportunity."
Averaging 20 to 22-hour sorties, each with two air refuelings, the 69th EBS flew over 180 hours from Guam to the Hawaiian airspace and back.
"We started with a crawl, walk, run mentality," said Maj. Christopher Morris, 69th EBS mission planning cell team chief. "At first, our participation focused at the unit level and then moved into force-integration training where we worked with other players. In the final phase of RIMPAC, we integrated B-52s into a robust regional combat scenario."
In the first phase of unit level training, targets are generally pre-planned and aircrews know exactly what to look for. In the force-integration phase and the final combat scenario, targets are unknown, meaning aircrews not only have to locate their targets, but also determine how to strike and with what weapons to strike.
"This demonstrates the flexibility of the B-52 and our aircrews," said Morris. "Our joint-service commanders know they can count on the B-52 to deliver bombs on target 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year--worldwide--and in this case, from more than 3,000 miles away."
The 69th EBS' first two sorties for this year's RIMPAC, July 11 and 13, supported a high-priority MINEX, a low-level mine-laying exercise designed to train the Navy's counter-mine specialists.
"We're working with Navy fleet to train in aerial interdiction of maritime targets," said Morris. "This includes gathering intelligence, honing our skills in low-level flying, providing close air support and simulating strikes when targets are found."
Exercises in the region are ideal forums to showcase U.S. defense aircraft and equipment, work hand-in-hand with regional partners and contribute toward interoperability with other countries.
Movement of U.S. Air Force bombers into the Western Pacific has been ongoing since March 2004, as the U.S. Pacific Command adjusts its force posture to maintain a prudent deterrent capability.
Rotational bomber deployments to Guam help maintain stability and security in the Western Pacific, while allowing units to become familiar with operating in the Pacific Theater.
"As a Navy-centric exercise, we're thrilled about the air capabilities that our B-52s were able to provide in support of RIMPAC," said Kaufman. "There's something to be said about U.S. Air Force B-52s flying with Marine Corps F-18s alongside Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18s and P-3s as well as Japanese F-2s and F-15Js."
As the world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC is a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.
Other U.S. Air Force aircraft participating in RIMPAC 2012 include: C-17 Globemaster IIIs, KC-135 Stratotankers, E-3 Sentries, A-10 Thunderbolt IIIs, F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons and HH-60G Pave Hawks.
"RIMPAC is a testament to the mutual understanding and respect we gain from exercising with regional partners, all working together on a number of different and potential operations and missions," said Kaufman. "We look forward to participating again in 2014 and bringing an enhanced portfolio of new capabilities."
(Editor's note: We removed the KC-130 from the list of participating U.S. Air Force aircraft as this aircraft is flown by the U.S. Marine Corps. Also, we incorrectly listed KC-135 Stratotankers as Stratofortresses.)
Comments
8/8/2012 9:36:05 AM ET Straight from the article Other U.S. Air Force aircraft participating in RIMPAC 2012 include C-17 Globemaster IIIs KC-135 Stratofortresses E-3 Sentries A-10 Thunderbolt IIIs F-15 Eagles F-16 Fighting Falcons and HH-60G Pave Hawks.
Arctic Warrior, Colorado Springs CO
8/7/2012 6:33:15 PM ET Add to the list A-10 Thunderbolt IIIsDid anybody copy edit this
TJ, Texas
8/7/2012 5:15:59 PM ET Bravo Romeo is correct. B-52 Stratofortress. KC-135 StratoTANKER also the A-10 Thunderbolt II not III and F-15E Strike Eagle if you want to be as detailed as you did with the HH-60G Pave Hawk
Airman, DMAFB
8/7/2012 4:23:26 PM ET Bravo Romeo- RWM is aware that it is the KC-135 Stratofortresses. That is his point.
Analyst, USAFA
8/7/2012 3:52:55 PM ET B-52 Stratofortress. KC-135 StratoTANKER. Just thought you should know, RWM.
Bravo Romeo, Planet Earth
8/7/2012 12:47:17 PM ET Good catch RMW, and I'll add another one The USAF does not fly KC-130 Hercules. That is all carry on...
