B-52s Deploy to Indo-Pacific for Bomber Task Force
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alysia Blake, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
/ Published September 03, 2021
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Approximately 230 Airmen assigned to the 2nd and 307th Bomb Wings, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana deployed with U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses and support equipment to the Indo-Pacific region to support Pacific Air Forces’ Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment, August 26.
In line with the National Defense Strategy’s objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability, the BTF enables a mix of different types of bombers to operate forward in the Indo-Pacific region from a broad array of overseas and continental U.S. locations with greater operational resilience.
“The BTF provides an opportunity to enhance readiness and give aircrews the necessary training to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Poole, BTF director of operations.
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam acts as a staging point for the B-52, allowing commanders to address a variety of global challenges through the engagement of the bomber.
“We want to become more operationally unpredictable to adversaries,” said Poole. “In order to do so, we routinely exercise with our allies and partners through the employment of our bomber forces.”
This training and integration between the theater, allies and other U.S. military units increases interoperability and readiness of U.S. Air Force Airmen, and the response abilities of the B-52.
“We fly bomber missions in the Indo-Pacific region to show our forces’ credibility while addressing a diverse, secured environment,” said Poole. “Through long range power projection, we are able to deter any potential adversaries and increase our strategic advantage in great power.”
This engagement provides stability in the Indo-Pacific region through conflict deterrence, delivering rapid response capabilities anytime, anywhere.
“The B-52 is the most recognizable and respected aircraft in the world,” said Poole. “The United States continues to show that we can go anywhere on the globe on our timeline.”