Demonstrating air power, bomber and fighter crew assigned and deployed to the Pacific Air Forces launched four B-1B Lancers, two B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers and four F-15C Eagles while simultaneously conducting Bomber Task Force missions with partners combined and allied within the Indo-Pacific region over the course of 24 hours, 17 August.
PACAF routinely conducts BTF operations to show US commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.
“Our unique strength as an Air Force is our ability to generate integrated actions with our teammates and allies and partners to challenge competitors at a time and place of our choosing,” said Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Commander of PACAF. “These concurrent airpower missions demonstrated our ability and readiness to deliver a wide range of proactive and scalable options to rapidly deploy our forces to our mission to secure a free and open Indo-Pacific theater.”
The first demonstration of airpower came when two B-1s from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, took off from Ellsworth AFB and flew into the East Sea. Once there, they ed the Koku Jieitai, or Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and further strengthened their relationships by training together.
“Koku-Jieitai has been participating in bilateral training on an ongoing basis and I have no doubt that our efforts result in the strengthening of the alliance and partnership between Japan and the United States,” said Lieutenant General Shunji Izutsu of the JASDF, commander of the Air Force Defense Command. “Training in a complex situation like this large workforce improves not only tactical skills but also interoperability and mutual trust.”
While the two "Bones" were en route to the East Sea, another set of two B-1s took off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
In addition to the two sets of bomber missions, four F-15C Eagles from Kadena Air Force Base, Japan also headed to the East Sea to link up with the four B-1s, US NavyUSS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, F -35 Lightning IIs assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, and JASDF F-15J aircraft to conduct large-force exercise training.
“Cutting-edge integrated training with our Air Force colleagues enhances our ability to respond to any contingency and meet any challenge,” said U.S. Navy Rear iral George Wikoff, commander of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. “t US integration demonstrates our unwavering commitment to regional defense agreements with our allies and partners.”
Upon completion of onboarding and training, the fighters returned to Kadena AB, while the four B-1s returned to their home station in South Dakota.
Finally, while onboarding and training was taking place in the East Sea, two B-2 Spirit bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, currently deployed to the Naval Facility Diego Garcia, delivered their own unique capabilities in theater.
In the Indian Ocean, the B-2s conducted t interoperability tactical training before returning to Diego Garcia.
These missions showcase Air Force Global Strike Command's ability to provide lethal, turnkey, long-range strike options to geographic combatant commanders anytime, anywhere.
“I am proud of how we as the military and our allies and partners work together to demonstrate our determination for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Wilsbach said.
Source: USAF
