B-52s head to Guam for continuous bomber presence rotation

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

6/3/2010 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFNS) -- Several B-52H Stratofortresses and nearly 350 Airmen here left June 1 for Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on a six-month rotation deployment.

"The 5th Bomb Wing's role in (U.S. Pacific Command's) continuous bomber presence mission is vital to national security," said Col. Charles Patnaude, the 5th Operations Group commander. "Our mission is one of both deterrence and assurance."

The colonel said Minot AFB's Airmen will be there to deter and dissuade potential regional aggressors from taking any provoking actions and to assure our allies of our commitment to the Pacific region.

"This is a great mission for (Minot AFB's) B-52s because it enables us to demonstrate our broad range of capabilities," he said.

The 5th BW's two B-52 squadrons, the 23rd and 69th Bomb Squadrons, will share the six-month deployment. The 23rd BS will serve the first half of the deployment.

The mission on the island had Airmen's spirits high and eager to get underway.

"I know many of them are ecstatic about this deployment," Colonel Patnaude said. "The training environment is fantastic and basing out of Andersen (AFB) will offer up great opportunities. Our (members) will get to interact with folks from other weapon systems, other services and possibly other nations."

Colonel Patnaude said PACOM's continuous bomber presence mission has been ongoing since 2003 when 5th BW officials first established the operation.

"B-52s, B-1 (Lancers) and B-2 (Spirits) have each taken turns as a continuous sentinel for the Pacific theater," he added. "The 5th BW (Airmen have) been to Guam several times since 2003 and I suspect (5th BW Airmen) will continue deploying there until Pacific Command no longer needs us."

PACOM officials said they routinely evaluate the command's readiness and reposition forces as needed to ensure they maintain both the operational and support capabilities necessary to meet the obligations of national defense.

The bombers serve as a deterrent and stabilizing force and are in no way intended to be used in a provocative manner, officials said.