An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
About USINDOPACOM
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
2024 Banner Photos
Media
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
FAQ
Useful Links
Newcomers
Resources
CONTACT
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF - RED HILL
JTF-MICRONESIA
Search
Home
Media
NEWS
News Article View
Home
Media
NEWS
News Article View
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
2024 Banner Photos
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
FAQ
Useful Links
Newcomers
CONTACT
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF - RED HILL
JTF-MICRONESIA
B-1 Continuous Bomber Presence Support Arrives on Guam
10 August 2016
From Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert
Download
More than 300 Airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing deployed to Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam, in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s continuous bomber presence mission Aug. 9.
Aircrews, maintenance and support personnel, will be generating B-1 bomber sorties to demonstrate the continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, providing commanders with a strategic power projection platform.
“I think this deployment is extremely important,” said Lt. Col. Seth Spanier, 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) commander. “The Pacific is going through a time of increasing instability and tensions. I think bringing the men and women of our B-1s to the area of responsibility will provide that visible assurance to our allies and partners.”
The 300 Airmen will join several B-1 bombers and personnel who arrived in Guam earlier this week, taking the baton from Airmen and B-52 Stratofortress bombers assigned to Minot AFB, North Dakota.
“The handoff between the B-1s and the B-52s has been seamless so far,” Spanier said. “I think that really pays credence to the amount of integration the bombers have been doing lately across the Air Force.”
According to Spanier, Ellsworth has been preparing the Airmen of the 34th Bomb Squadron, who have been training for this particular deployment for almost a year by taking part in major large force exercises across the U.S.
“Bombers in general are well-suited to the vast distances and challenges of the Pacific,” Spanier said. “The B-1 bomber is specifically suited for the Pacific region.”
Spanier said the B-1 is bringing long-range capability, speed, flexibility, a multitude of weapons for the aircraft, advanced sensors, modern defense avionics systems, and targeting pods.
As a long-range, multi-role, heavy bomber, the B-1 can fly more than 900 miles per hour and carry more than 75,000 pounds of munitions.
“I think, more importantly than what the B-1 aircraft brings … are the men and women of the 34th Bomb Squadron and the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, who are bringing years and years of recent combat experience from [U.S.] Central Command,” Spanier said. “Our squadron, specifically, is bringing more than 40,000 cumulative combat hours to the Pacific.”
Spanier added the Air Force has not seen bombers bring that amount of combat experience to the Pacific in more than a decade, and believes it will assist in the training of new Airmen.
“We will be able to practice and train in every mission setting that the B-1 is capable of,” Spanier said. “Aircraft and aircrews will be flying maritime missions, working with the Navy, flying close air support [training sorties] with the land forces of our allies, and conducting exercises like combat rescue.”
Airman 1st Class Blake Gutierrez, an aircraft armament technician assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said that he is looking forward to the training aspects of his first deployment.
“My fellow Airmen are definitely excited,” Gutierrez said. “It is going to be a different and strenuous workload, but I’m looking forward to learning in a new environment.”
This deployment is the largest Ellsworth has supported in recent years, requiring many units and personnel from across the base to work together to ensure a successful departure.
“It has been a wing-wide effort,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Compton, the superintendent of plans and integration with the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron. “We have had dozens of augmentees [across] the base help us process cargo and personnel.”
Spanier added that although this is a very complex deployment that has occurred across many weeks with multiple airliners bringing Airmen and material to Guam, he believes the 34th EBS is well prepared to accomplish their mission.
“We are helping our allies by strengthening our ties with them,” Compton said. “We are also training with them and projecting our air power [in Guam] while reassuring [our allies] that we are committed to that region of the world.”
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
"Just sitting side by side, eating together, sharing good meals together, that m...
Working with our network of allies and partners ensures a #FreeandOpenIndoPacifi...
Adm. Phil Davidson at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia. #...
Join us LIVE at the Halifax International Security Forum this Saturday! Adm. Dav...
"We must work together, across academia, industry, the government, and the milit...
"USINDOPACOM’s cyber strategy emphasizes backing the region’s joint and combined...
"To all our veterans who've worn the cloth of our nation, thank you for answerin...
"It's important that the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia & other friends & a...
United States Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David L. Goldfein spent his early ...
It’s Happening. Tiger TRIUMPH, the first ever tri-service exercise between the ...
Happy Veteran's Day to our past, present and future #Veterans. #FreeandOpenIndoP...
Stronger together for a #FreeandOpenIndoPacific
“Our veterans past, and the servicemen and women of today, have helped to preser...
Commander @INDOPACOM Adm. Phil Davidson, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chi...
Adm. Phil Davidson, Commander U.S.Indo-Pacific Command, meets with Tarō Kōno, Ja...
Gen. David L. Goldfein has a short message to our adversaries: We're here, and...
ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon