13th EBS prepares for busy deployment

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield
  • Kenney Headquarters Public Affairs (Deployed)
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) --  Aircrew and support members from the 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed here last week to provide a continuous bomber presence in the region and help maintain stability and provide security for the Asia-Pacific region.

The squadron replaces the 393rd EBS, which returned home July 1. The B-2 Spirit aircraft, aircrews and support members are from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. They are part of the continuing rotation through early September in support of the U.S. Pacific Command commander.

While at Andersen, the primary mission of the 13th EBS will be to gain experience flying and generating aircraft from a forward operating base, said Lt. Col. Bill Eldridge, commander.

"Our training plan includes missions to a nearby bombing range, long-duration sorties throughout the theater and joint exercises with the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed here flying F-15E (Strike Eagles) from Elmendorf (Air Force Base), Alaska," he said. "We also are planning exercises with the Royal Australian Air Force."

The majority of the squadron's Airmen arrived June 29-30, and the 13th EBS flew its first sorties July 5. There are challenges involved with flying so soon after arriving, but the squadron is focused on proving it is capable of deploying and flying missions immediately after arriving at a forward deployed location.

"Employing shortly after deploying is an Air Force specialty," said Lt. Col. Leonard D'Amico, 13th EBS director of operations. "We generally are ready to fight only hours after arriving at a forward deployed location. Flying shortly after deploying in peacetime is risky. To reduce the risk, we give our pilots a couple of days to adjust their circadian rhythm before our first flights."

Squadron members are looking forward to the opportunity to work with Air Force mission partners also deployed to Andersen -- aircrew members from the 90th EFS and Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling aircraft.

"We can learn a lot from the F-15E crews because they employ nearly every weapon in the Air Force inventory and maintain proficiency in a variety of missions," said Colonel Eldridge. "From our previous deployments, we learned a lot about the importance of air refueling. Because there are so few air fields in the region, we plan our fuel very carefully. We depend on tankers to get the mission done."

As with any deployment, two months at Andersen will not be free of challenges and obstacles to overcome. Colonel Eldridge said the 13th EBS will benefit from being the second squadron of B-2s to deploy.

"The 393rd EBS paved the way for our successful deployment," said Colonel D'Amico. "The second squadron always benefits from the work of previous units. Their work allowed us to shorten our advon time and to fly soon after arriving in theater.

Colonel Eldridge said the biggest challenge during this deployment may be the weather, as typhoon season typically arrives in late summer and as a result, the squadron may lose training sorties. For this, he believes maintainers from the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will save the day.

"Our maintenance has been fantastic and (it) will likely generate extra sorties to make up for any lost flying days," he added. "We couldn't fly a single sortie without the support of our outstanding maintenance people."

The 36th EAMXS maintenance Airmen -- who have been here since April and will remain for the final two months of the B-2 deployment -- look forward to working with the newly arrived aircrew members.

"We're used to working with both squadrons at our home station, so the transition from the 393rd to the 13th is an easy one for us," said Master Sgt. Kelly Costa, 36th EAMXS lead production superintendent. "We're not as familiar with the 13th EBS aircrew personnel because they just arrived, but all of our maintainers are looking forward to working with them and continuing the great work we've been doing here."