'Bone' makes evolving mark on war on terrorism

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Duff
  • Air Force News Agency
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  It can strike at a moment's notice. It is a lethal injection for the war on terrorism. It is a combat commander' s weapon of choice.

The B-1B Lancer, sometimes called the "Bone," has made a name for itself for nearly 20 years and continues to make its mark in the fight for freedom.

Since the war began, the B-1 has dropped more bombs than any other aircraft, said Lt. Col. Michael Eliason, 9th Bomb Squadron director of operations.

"We've become an exceptional close-air support asset and are often the weapon system of choice because of our loiter capability and payload," he said. 

It can fly low level or high altitude at speeds of 900-plus miles per hour. Its long-range persistence allows for multiple missions within a single sortie.

"It's not your typical bomber," Colonel Eliason, of Badger Pocket, Wash., said. "It has extremely high performance, is extremely flexible and lethal."

The multi-mission B-1 is one of the fastest combat aircraft today and can carry more weapons, both guided and unguided, than any other, the colonel said. Holding 100 world records for speed, payload and distance, it is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force and can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against the enemy anywhere and at anytime.

The B-1's first combat mission was during 1998's Operation Desert Fox in Iraq. Most recently, eight B-1 bombers were deployed for several months to Southwest Asia, in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The 270-plus team from the 7th Bomb Wing on that mission returned to Dyess on Sept. 13.

Although the missions over there could be physically tasking, sometimes up to 18 hours in flight, it is a great experience, Lancer pilot Capt. Jeff Malinen said.

"We're part of an evolving mission," said the captain from Laguna Hills, Calif.

The Lancer has taken on unconventional roles such as providing close-air-support for troops on the ground. The B-1's life-saving power and support is evident on the ground, he said.

"It's a great feeling flying over Afghanistan and a Soldier gives me an 'all clear,' and I know that I just saved 200 people with a single bomb," Captain Malinen said.

When Dyess' B-1 team is not deployed, they "simply train," Colonel Eliason said. "We prepare for tomorrow's war while continuing to improve our tactics for the (war on terrorism).

"It is an honor for us to deploy in support and defense of our nation," he said. "We are proud of our accomplishments, but certainly aren't resting on our laurels or becoming complacent. We are fully aware everyday (that) we are a nation at war."

The Lancer could not get bombs on target without its maintainers and specialty crews.

"Without us, the planes aren't going to fly," said Staff Sgt. Scott Yonushonis, of the 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. The maintainers literally take apart the B-1 every 600 hours to get an inside and out check-up.

"We're behind the scenes tearing the planes apart and putting them back together, keeping the aircraft mission ready," Sergeant Yonushonis, from DuBois, Pa., said.

On a day-to-day basis, crew chiefs inspect the planes from nose to tail.

"We're the last one to see them off and the first ones to catch their return," said Senior Airman Michael Dunlap who has been a B-1 crew chief for six years.

"Seeing it return with the bays empty of bombs gives me a good feeling of accomplishment," the Airman, from Champagne, Ill., said.

Part of the B-1's lethal arsenal is the 2,000-pound GB-31 bomb.  It is a global positioning system-controlled joint direct attack munition which converts unguided free-fall bombs into accurate in-any-weather smart bombs, Colonel Eliason said.

"In World War II, it took hundreds of bombs, most of which were inaccurate, to do what one of our bombs can do with one precision hit," he said.