Approximately 200 Airmen and several B-1B Lancers returned to the Indo-Pacific region recently for a Bomber Task Force deployment, conducting operations out of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
The 28th Bomb Wing deployed bombers from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron to support Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces, and conduct strategic deterrence missions to reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. The 37th EBS last deployed to Guam in July in support of BTF operations.
“These missions enable our crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency,” said Lt. Col. Robert Horstmann, 37th EBS director of operations. “That’s why we do these deployments – to continue challenging ourselves and proving assurance to our allies and partners for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Prior to arriving in Guam, bomber aviators garnered valuable experience integrating with Japanese Air Self-Defense Force fighters in the Sea of Japan.
In line with the National Defense Strategy’s objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability, the Bomber Task Force enables a mix of different types of strategic bombers to operate forward in the Indo-Pacific region from a broader array of overseas and continental U.S. locations with greater operational resilience.
“With the ability to carry the largest conventional payload of Joint Air-to-Surface Missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munitions, B-1s are a show of force when it comes to these missions,” said Horstmann. “With our bombers’ capabilities, we can deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision munitions against any adversary, anywhere, at any time.”
Ellsworth leadership noted that the guidelines in place at the base to combat the COVID-19 pandemic are key to the wing’s continued capability to support Bomber Task Force deployments and other taskings.
“Our ability to execute our mission remains strong, even during the pandemic,” said. Col. David Doss, 28th Bomb Wing commander. “We have proven this on numerous occasions throughout the year during multiple Bomber Task Force deployments as part of our nation’s Dynamic Force Employment strategy of being strategically predictable, but operationally unpredictable.”
Prior to the current deployment, Ellsworth B-1s conducted two additional BTF deployments and nearly a dozen long-range missions – some as long as 34 hours – originating from the base and integrated with allies to deter adversaries.
US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tristan Day
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