JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii –
The U.S. Air Force will send a B-52 and 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.
This is the fourth time a B-52 has landed at RAAF Darwin
since 2012. 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.
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.