Two 7th BW B-1s integrate with African partners; showcase support during Exercise African Lion

Two 7th BW B-1s integrate with African partners; showcase support during Exercise African Lion

Capt. Erika Tucker, 9th Bomb Squadron pilot, greets Capt. Dustin Weeks, 7th Operations Group executive officer, after conducting pre-flight checks on a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 30, 2022. The U.S. Department of Defense builds partnerships through focused activities such as senior leader engagements, security force assistance, and cooperation, and multi-national exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell)

Two 7th BW B-1s integrate with African partners; showcase support during Exercise African Lion

A B-1B Lancer bomber takes off from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2022 to support Exercise African Lion as well as conduct counter-illicit maritime activity with Mauritanian Navy vessels off the coast of Mauritania. Supporting Bomber Task Force Conus-to-Conus missions enhance bomber aviators' abilities and build relationships and interoperability with partner nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell)

Two 7th BW B-1s integrate with African partners; showcase support during Exercise African Lion

A B-1B Lancer departs from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2022, in support of United States Africa Command's Exercise African Lion. The B-1 carries the largest payload of both guided and unguided conventional weapons in the United States inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell)

Two 7th BW B-1s integrate with African partners; showcase support during Exercise African Lion

B-1B Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, fly with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 and F-5 aircraft off the coast of Morocco, June 30, 2022, in support of African Lion 2022. African Lion 2022 (AL22) is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo)

Two 7th BW B-1s integrate with African partners; showcase support during Exercise African Lion

B-1B Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, fly with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16 and F-5 aircraft off the coast of Morocco, June 30, 2022, in support of African Lion 2022. African Lion 2022 (AL22) is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo)

Two B-1B Lancers launched from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2022, in support of a Bomber Task Force Continental United States (CONUS)-to-CONUS tasking.

A BTF CONUS-to-CONUS mission is a tasking from geographic combatant commanders requesting bomber aircraft to launch from their home unit to conduct an operation in another theater before returning home.

During the 25.5 -hour mission, the long-range strategic bombers flew from West Texas to West Africa.

“Weeks of coordinating and mission planning took place to make this all happen.” Said 1st Lt. Simone Durham, 9th Bomb Squadron pilot and 7th Bomb Wing mission planner, “A complex mission like this only happens when everyone does their job,” she continued, “any time we get to integrate with our partners and allies is a win.”

According to 9th Bomb Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Nathan “Griz” Jenkins, the mission also demonstrated the importance of training and preparation. He said, "Our B-1 aircrew, maintainers and munitions professionals train every day to be ready. It was great to see the 7th BW and 307th BW team work together to execute a very successful, long-range mission to assure our allies in West Africa”.

After taking fuel from KC-10 Extenders from the 305th Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, the aircraft flew south to integrate with Royal Moroccan Air Force F-5 and F-16 aircraft during the final live fire exercise of U.S. Africa Command’s Exercise African Lion.

The supersonic bombers showcased their support in the theater with an inert weapons demonstration for distinguished visitors who represented the 12 countries and NATO that participated in Exercise AFRICAN LION, U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint, all-domain annual exercise.

Following the African Lion demonstration, the B-1Bs flew to Mauritania and worked with the Mauritanian Coast Guard to identify and track illegally operating vessels off the coast, such as those conducting illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing.

Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing depletes fishers throughout Africa’s coast countries, threatens maritime security, and endangers the African economies that rely on the ocean for their food and trade. U.S. Africa Command assists African partner nations’ efforts to safeguard continued, sustainable use of maritime resources and enable maritime trade.

Assuring partners through mission readiness is a key priority for Col. Joseph Kramer, 7th Bomb Wing Commander. He said, “The 7th Bomb Wing’s dynamic demonstration of long range airpower in Exercise African Lion and our efforts alongside our Mauritanian and Moroccan partners exemplifies that we are ready to provide agile combat employment in support of combatant commands across the globe.”