by Senior Airman Cierra Presentado
36th Wing Public Affairs
8/27/2014 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Three
U.S. B-2 Spirits redeployed to the continental United States following a
deployment here as part of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber
presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region.
The bombers, and approximately 200 support Airmen, assigned to the 509th
Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo, deployed here, Aug. 6, to
improve combat readiness and ensure regional stability. Bomber
deployments help maintain stability and security in the region, while
allowing units to become familiar with operating in the theater
according to USPACOM.
The team included maintainers, medical and communications Airmen who
deployed with the B-2s to help maintain Air Force operational and
support capabilities and evaluating the readiness of these assets
through routine training sorties around the Pacific region. The
deployment also offered aircrews the opportunity to hone skills in
several key capabilities.
"This is an invaluable opportunity that allows us to train and integrate
with U.S. Pacific Command," said Maj. Aaron Hager, 509th Aircraft
Maintenance Squadron commander. "The training conducted during this
deployment ensures our crews stay proficient in crucial skill sets such
as command and control, air refueling and weapon load training."
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Youman, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron quality assurance inspector, has deployed to Andersen four times.
"Each time I've been here, I've always performed the same specialty;
this is my first time being able to use the hot-refueling method on the
aircraft," said Youman. "Basically, we are able to refuel the B-2 while
it is running."
The hot-refueling capability ensures the B-2's combination of stealth,
long range, large payload and precision weaponry can return to the fight
more rapidly, providing decision makers with the ability to project
power and deliver decisive effects.
From the crew chiefs to the weapons loaders, each specialty is needed
for the B-2s to maintain a forward presence and remain a reliable
regional partner.
"Each of us has an important role out here," said Staff Sgt. Daniel
Jensen, 509th AMXS weapons loader team chief. "Our main goal and mission
is to show the world that the B-2 is able to perform and provide global
capabilities."
PACOM has maintained a deployed strategic bomber presence in the region
for over a decade, but the last extended deployment for the B-2 to Guam
took place in January 2012. This deployment allowed Andersen AFB Airmen
to exercise B-2 specific support while re-familiarizing the
Missouri-based B-2 Airmen with the region.
The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional
and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the
aircraft represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization
program; it brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere
on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment