Green Lightning tests Pacific bomber force

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo
  • Air Force Print News
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE DARWIN, Australia (AFPN) --  B-2 Stealth bombers, KC-10 Extenders and support personnel are participating in a new exercise here.

Exercise Green Lightning is designed to improve the U.S. capabilities and operational familiarity in the region for the Pacific bomber presence and enhance relations with the Australians.

"The United States and Australia continue to be close allies in our shared commitment to maintaining peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region," said Col. Bob Wheeler 36th Expeditionary Operations Group commander. "U.S. bombers working side-by-side with our Australian counterparts provides both nations' armed forces an opportunity to build on that shared commitment."

Green Lightning is not in response to any particular world event andhas been in the planning stages for several months.

Bombers have been moved into the western Pacific for more than two years as the Pacific command adjusts its forces posture to maintain a deterrent capability. In a November 2005 joint agreement between Australia and the United States, the Air Force announced it would begin regular strategic bomber aircraft training in the Northern Territory in 2006. The strategic bomber training program would involve B-1B Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 bomber aircraft flying from the states and conducting operations at the Delamere Air Weapons Range, about 70 miles southwest of Katherine in the Northern Territory of Australia.

"A key component of our strong defense relationship with the United States is our ongoing combined training program," said the Hon. Dr. Brendan Nelson, the Australian minister for defense. "Training and exercising with the world's most technologically advanced armed forces provides many benefits to the Australian Defense Force, which cannot be obtained through other means."

Like many missions conducted by the Air Force, they cannot be completed without fuel. KC-10 Extenders from the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron are providing the necessary fuel for the B-2s during their 18-hour training sorties.

"This operation is a perfect example of the Air Force's total force in action," said Lt. Col. Jon Spare, 506th EARS commander. "Both Air Force Reserve and active-duty Airmen are cooperatively working together to ensure the success of these missions."