96th BS deploys in 10th year of bomber presence campaign

by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

9/4/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. - -- Barksdale pilots, aircrew, maintainers and B-52H Stratofortresses deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, this week continuing their commitment to the Asia-Pacific's stability and security.

Air Force Global Strike Command's deployment of long-range heavy bombers to Andersen AFB, demonstrates the command's ability to conduct missions and exemplifies commitment to providing global vigilance, reach and power.

"We're deploying in support of Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence to perform the deterrence and assurance mission in the pacific theater," said Lt. Col. Jason Horton, 96th BS commander. "It's a wonderful opportunity for the 96th Bomb Squadron to participate in some operational missions, and I anticipate that we'll get some high quality training while we're out there. I think that we will have a great opportunity to integrate with our joint partners and some coalition allies while in the pacific theater."

Movement of the U.S. Air Force bombers into the Western Pacific has been ongoing since March 2004, as the U.S. Pacific Command regularly adjusts its force posture to maintain a prudent deterrent capability within the region. CBP also allows bombers the opportunity to integrate into joint and coalition training exercises in the Pacific.

"The advantage is the integration that we get," Horton said. "The B-52 brings one piece to the fight. We bring a huge piece. By tying in with joint partners using their sensors and by using our weapons in concert with each other, we can achieve things we can't do with any one singular platform."

CBP showcases the 2nd Bomb Wing's ability to operate aircraft within the Pacific and support exercises, operations and contingencies as required. This ability comes as a result of continuous training.

"We've made sure things like our 9mm training and [chemical] warfare training and all deployment requirements are good to go," Horton said. "We've put a particular emphasis on flight training leading up to [this] deployment so we've assessed qualifications when we tasked aircrew to deploy. We've made sure [everyone] is current and efficient in the types of missions that we anticipate that we'll fly once we get to PACOM."

The 96th's deployment isn't without recognition of those who love and support the Airmen going overseas in support of the now decade-long campaign.

"This may seem like a routine deployment because this is something that's been going on for 10 years now," Horton said. "The mission their loved ones are doing in the PACOM area of responsibility is vitally important to the security of the United States."