U.S. Air Force B-52 takes part in joint training at RAAF Darwin

by Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

12/5/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The U.S. Air Force will send one B-52 and one KC-135, operating from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin later this week to take part in short term joint training with the RAAF. The B-52 is assigned to Andersen AFB as part of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Air Force rotational presence in the Pacific, and the KC-135 is part of the Tanker Task Force in the region.

The aircraft landing at RAAF Darwin marks the second such event since the United States and Australia announced the U.S.-Australia Force Posture Initiative in November 2011.

This will enhance U.S. ability to train, exercise and operate with Australia and with other allies and partners across the region, further enabling the U.S. to work together with these nations to respond more quickly to a wide range of challenges, including humanitarian crises and disaster relief, as well as promoting security cooperation efforts across the region.

This purposed event is to highlight the intent for increased U.S. Air Force training with the RAAF; decisions on future rotations are still under discussion.

While in Australia, the B-52 will conduct simulated ordnance drops over the Delamere Training Range, a fighter intercept exercise with the 75th Squadron, as well as a subject matter expert exchange with RAAF airmen.

This is the third time a B-52 has landed at RAAF Darwin since 2010. The first landing was in August of 2012 after the multilateral Exercise Pitch Black. The Royal Australian Air Force was a key part of this event, as their C-17 brought forward personnel and critical equipment from Andersen AFB to support the B-52 arrival at RAAF Darwin.

For additional information, please contact Pacific Air Forces public affairs at 808-448-3226 or by e-mail at pacaf.paops@us.af.mil. Duty hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time.