B-2 bombers deploy to Guam

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Bombers from an Air Combat Command base have deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to take part in on-going Air Expeditionary Force deployments at the remote Pacific island base.

Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers deployed Feb. 25 from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., as part of a rotation that has provided U.S. Pacific Command a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional security and the U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific. Bomber aircraft have had an on-going presence on the island since February 2004.

The deployment to Guam marks the entrance of the B-2 into the mainstream of Air Expeditionary Force planning, said Maj. Al Miller, 509th Bomb Wing plans office. The aircrafts only other operational deployment was in 2003 as a contingency to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The B-2 was later declared fully operational capable by the Air Force in December 2003. That declaration marked the eligibility of the B-2 for normal rotational taskings under the AEF system.

We are now programmed in the mix of forces available to all combatant commanders throughout the world, said Col. Chris Miller, 509th Bomb Wing commander. For more than a year, the bomber force has supported a continual presence at Andersen to help maintain the peace and stability of the Pacific region. Were now a part of that team effort, helping shoulder the responsibility alongside our fellow Airmen with the B-1s and B-52s.

The rotations provide training opportunities to integrate bombers into Pacific Command's joint and coalition exercises from a forward operating base like Andersen AFB, Guam.

The 509th is also supporting another deployment of aircraft to Joint Red Flag at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. While the unit has supported split operations in the past, namely the 2003 deployment where bombers conducted combat operations from both Whiteman and their deployed location, this is the first time they have had to support multiple deployments at the same time.

The next few weeks are one of the larger tests weve faced as a unit, said Lt. Col. Scott Young, 509th Operations Group deputy commander. For the first time, well be executing flight operations in three locations at the same time: at home, at Andersen, and at Nellis.

Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs and 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs contributed to this report.