B-2 bombers headed to Guam (first time ever)

Stars and Stripes ^ | March 1

[Truth666]

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers left Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Friday en route to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of an Air Expeditionary Force deployment, according to a Pacific Air Forces news release.

The release did not specify the number of B-2s deploying to Guam. The AEF deployments to Guam began in February 2004.

[Truth666]

B-2 Spirit bombers now much closer to russian strategic base of Petropavlovsk.

[Brilliant]

I'm guessing it's China or N. Korea they are concerned about.

[Calpernia]

U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers left Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Friday en route to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of an Air Expeditionary Force deployment, according to a Pacific Air Forces news release.

[Al Gator]

A lot close to the Taiwan straits.

I think China's blue water navy and missle build up across the lake from Taiwan are the catalysts.

[Calpernia]

Along with the B-52 and B-1B, the B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or "stealth," characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provide a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century.

The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its low-observability provides it greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field of view for the aircraft's sensors. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers).

The B-2's low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2's composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its "stealthiness."

The B-2 has a crew of two pilots, a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right, compared to the B-1B's crew of four and the B-52's crew of five.

[BJClinton]

The release did not specify the number of B-2s deploying to Guam.

Out of curiosity, how many deployable do we have?

[cynicom]

PCS or TDY?????

[Non-Sequitur]

Out of curiosity, how many deployable do we have?

20

[Calpernia]

>>> Out of curiosity, how many deployable do we have?

See last line, "Inventory"


General Characteristics
Primary function: Multi-role heavy bomber
Prime Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co., General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Hughes Training Inc., Link Division
Power Plant: Four General Electric F-118-GE-100 engines
Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine
Length: 69 feet (20.9 meters)
Height: 17 feet (5.1 meters
Wingspan: 172 feet (52.12 meters
Speed: High subsonic
Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)
Takeoff Weight (Typical): 336,500 pounds (152,634 kilograms
Range: Intercontinental, unrefueled
Armament: Conventional or nuclear weapons
Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms)
Crew: Two pilots
Unit cost: Approximately $1.157 billion (fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Date Deployed: December 1993
Inventory: Active force: 21 (1 test); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0

[bayourod]

Not the "First Time Ever". I remember (growing up on SAC bases) friends tranferibg there and wings doing temp duty there in the 60s and 70s.

"Here today, Guam tomorrow."

[Fitzcarraldo]

The Chinese have virtually scored their first hit of the next war (the USS San Francisco). Good time for the US Navy to completely map the undersea approaches to Guam.

[Velveeta]

Very interesting.

[bayourod]

Excxuse me. I misread B-2 to say B-52.

[ken5050]

?????

[BladeLWS]

If we're gonna get down and dirty the B-2's and F-117's will be the first ones in country.

[Centurion2000]

The Chinese have virtually scored their first hit of the next war (the USS San Francisco). Good time for the US Navy to completely map the undersea approaches to Guam.

I don't think so. I don't see the Chinese Navy moving mountains underwater to make our subs run into them.

[mylife]

I am not privy to such information but I fear you could be correct

[Calpernia]

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

The B-2 "Spirit of Kitty Hawk" from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., prepares to touch down. Two B-2s and 100 support airmen are here for Operation Coronet Dragon 49, a forward-deployment exercise. The exercise will test a new satellite communications system which will improve the B-2's ability to engage critical, time-sensitive targets.

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Ponton examines the wing surface of a B-2 Spirit Bomber here Oct. 21. Ponton is a structural maintenance technician from the 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. He and several other Whiteman airmen were here for a Red Flag exercise. The exercise allows combat aircrews to train in a simulated-war environment.

A B-2 Spirit crew from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., prepares for refueling by a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 319th Air Refueling Wing at Grand Forks AFB, N.D. The air refueling effort was part of a training mission.

A B-2 Spirit proceeds to an undisclosed location after flying a mission over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 27, 2003. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Sadaam Hussein.

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron prepares to refuel a B-2 Spirit bomber during A-day. The first deployed B-2 bombers took part in the "Shock and Awe" campaign of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Coalition aircraft flew missions against more than 100 targets in Iraq in efforts to oust Saddam Hussein's regime.

[Fitzcarraldo]

The Chinese may have better knowledge of the topography than we do. That could be an important difference.

[68skylark]

If we're gonna get down and dirty the B-2's and F-117's will be the first ones in country.

Except for the CIA and military Special Ops guys, I think you're correct.