US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber crews participated in live fire training operations with the US Army at the Pohakuloa training area, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, on November 15 and 18.
During the two separate days, two B-52 bombers coordinated with of the 25 th Air Operations Squadron and US Army Pacific 2nd Brigade, 25 ª Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team t terminal attack controllers, also known as JTACs, to deliver a mixed payload of unguided, precision-guided and laser-guided weapons.
“It is a unique experience for the Army to integrate with Air Force bombers, because controlling bombers is very different from controlling helicopters or even fighter planes”, said US Air Force Capt. Mike Brogan, Pacific Air Forces Bomber Liaison Officer. To maintain readiness, crews often use simulation tools, so the live-fire opportunity is a meaningful event for crews and people on the ground. “This is incredibly valuable to them because it demonstrates that what they are doing and saying is really being seen and done.”
This event allowed JTACs to conduct day missions and night training, giving them the opportunity to utilize equipment they would not normally work with during the day.
“Being able to practice close air with B-52 bombers dropping over 15.000 pounds of high explosives while running alongside our Army brothers in a company move with attack aviation on the left and active artillery on the right, provided countless lessons to myself and my [team] that will help us neutralize the enemy and keep our forces safely aligned when we mobilize,” said Captain Austin Hairfield, ASOS' 25th flight commander.
Additionally, during the Fire Coordination Exercise on the ground, they were able to execute the first onboard laser runway for the Pacific Air Forces between the U.S. Army's RQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Air System and the sights of the B-52.
"Without the effective and efficient laser lock... the JTAC would have to spend crucial seconds locating reinforcements and convincing the aircraft of the target before providing terminal guidance", said Hairfield.
The bombers, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, are currently deployed to Guam as part of US Indo-Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence operations.
The 19,5-hour flight from Guam to Hawaii and back required aerial refueling ed by KC-135 Stratotankers. Upon completion of the training mission, the bombers returned to Guam, completing a 7.000 nautical mile round trip mission.
“This training definitely demonstrates our ability to attack in the long term, but the most important part is the fact that it is a t training”Brogan said. “It is unlikely that any clashes in the future will be single-service; therefore, training with our sister services is always crucial and imperative.”
Missions such as these offer significant opportunities to strengthen t capabilities in the region, enhance t readiness, raise air domain awareness, and help ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The US has conducted continuous theater presence bomber operations as part of a routine forward-deployed global strike capability to regional security since March 2004.
