Posted on 08/08/2017 9:03:21 PM PDT by TigerClaws
Two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers, under the command of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, joined their counterparts from the Republic of Korea and Japanese air forces in sequenced bilateral missions, August 7.
This serves as the first mission for the crews and aircraft recently deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence missions.
After taking off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the B-1s assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, flew to Japanese airspace, where they were joined by Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-2 fighter jets. The B-1s then flew over the Korean Peninsula where they were joined by Republic of Korea Air Force KF-16 fighter jets. The B-1s then performed a pass over the Pilsung Range before leaving South Korean airspace and returning to Guam.
Throughout the approximately 10-hour mission, the aircrews practiced intercept and formation training, enabling them to enhance their combined capabilities and tactical skills, while also strengthening the long standing military-to-military relationships in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Ellsworth B-1s were last deployed to Guam in August 2016 when they took over CBP operations from the B-52 Stratofortress bomber squadrons from Minot AFB, North Dakota, and Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
“How we train is how we fight and the more we interface with our allies, the better prepared we are to fight tonight,” said a 37th EBS B-1 pilot. “The B-1 is a long-range bomber that is well-suited for the maritime domain and can meet the unique challenges of the Pacific.”
Aircrews, maintenance and support personnel, will continue 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 and fulfilling the need for anytime mission-ready aircraft, an important part of national defense during a time of high regional tension.
“While at home station my crews are constantly refining their tactics and techniques so that we can better integrate with our counterparts from other nations,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Diehl, 37th EBS, commander. “As demonstrated today, our air forces stand combat-ready to deliver airpower when called upon.”
The U.S. has maintained a regular bomber presence in the Indo-Asia-Pacific since 2004 and this mission demonstrated our continued ironclad commitment to regional allies. Further, it increased our readiness and exercised our rights under international law to fly legally in the place and time of our choosing.
It’s getting real.
Well, if it’s going to be nuclear, there won’t be much fighting after the first hour or so.
The Norks have no idea what they’re up against.
Prayers up for them. South Dakota native and my dad was Air Force, not Ellsworth, but MacDill during the Korean conflict, radar guy.
Well, if it’s going to be nuclear, there won’t be much fighting after the first hour or so.According To Lehrer it'll be an hour and a half
So Long, Mom (A Song for World War III) - with intro -
I remember him singing this one on TW3 (For those who remember that show)
Uh oh. Somebody better tell Hank Johnson.
And President Merkin.
Prayers.
We will not use nukes in that neighborhood. There is something called "radioactive fallout." It doesn't discriminate between friend and foe.
They have to know, I just don’t get it.
Go ahead KJI. Make my day. See what happens
Drop one or two deep penetration bombs on the NorK command and control centers. Kill the generals, the politicians.
It’s still the ‘beginning of the beginning’ but you’re right - it’s starting to feel real.
Yup... precisely. B2s. Eliminate electricity, radars, communications, air. force, artillery batteries.
A couple of these guys are deployed long enough to bring wives and kids. They were at the beach today. Quite a nice change from South Dakota!
“Nice change” .... IF NK is full of it about bombing the place.
I seriously doubt the N Koreans could hit Guam with a missile. The island is 11 miles by 40 miles. That’s a tough target for primitive missile from 1000+ miles away.
Additionally the is at least 1 battery of THAAD missiles deployed here, maybe two.
What might work is a bomb on a trawler.
And supposedly there’s a way via satellites to track nuclear material.
The artillery aimed at Seoul is likely a bigger threat for mass casualties.
I don’t think taking out the top leadership is enough. We’d have to completely wipe our their capacity to make war in short order to prevent yet another crazy dictator from taking control of the country.
Btw, this is a dress rehearsal for what we are going to be facing with Iran any day now. Thanks, Obama!
I remember air raid shelters and doing duck and cover in school during the Cuban missile crisis. That was some scary $hit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.