Air Force B-1B Lancers landed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, June 3, for a Pacific Air Forces Bomber Task Force deployment.
The personnel, aircraft and assets arrived from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, to conduct PACAF training alongside allies, partners and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force.
“Our presence here in Guam, and flights throughout the region, serve two strategic purposes,” said Lt. Col. Ross Hobbs, the 34th Bomb Squadron commander. “Assurance to our regional allies through consistent presence and multi-lateral integration, and deterrence of U.S. adversaries that continue to threaten stability of the world’s diplomatic, military, and economic spheres of influence.”
In line with the National Defense Strategy’s objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability, BTF missions demonstrate the ability of U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command to deliver lethal, ready, long-range strike options to Geographic Combatant Commanders anytime, anywhere.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kristof Lieber (left), the assistant director of operations for the 34th Bomb Squadron, and Lt. Col. Ross Hobbs (right), the commander of the 34th Bomb Squadron, greet each other at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, after landing a B-1B Lancer for a Bomber Task Force mission on June 2, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the United States Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Michael Caggiano)
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., waits on a taxiway at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after arriving for a Bomber Task Force mission June 2, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the United States Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Chris Hibben)
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prepares to land at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for a Bomber Task Force mission June 2, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific by demonstrating the United States Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quentin Marx)
“Long-range bomber operations and the unique Agile Combat Employment/BTF construct greatly strengthen our steadfast relationships with our allies and partner nations in the Pacific,” said Maj. Kristof Lieber, the 34th Bomb Squadron assistant director of operations. “We’re all excited to showcase the ability to take a small contingent of “Bones” and personnel and demonstrate our flexibility, credibility, and lethality in the largest area of responsibility in the world.