B-2 Spirits return from Pacific deployment

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – Three B-2 Spirit bombers and more than 220 Airmen from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., recently returned from a three-week deployment to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, where they conducted routine training and weapons sorties throughout the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility.

"This training deployment demonstrates continued U.S. commitment to global strategic bomber operations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and exercises the President's credible and flexible military options to meet national security obligations for the U.S. and its Allies," said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander.

PACOM has maintained a deployed strategic bomber presence in the region for over a decade, but the last extended deployment for the B-2 to Guam took place in January 2012. This deployment, which began Aug. 6, allowed Anderson AFB Airmen to exercise B-2 specific support while re-familiarizing the Missouri-based B-2 Airmen with the region.

"It is important for U.S. Strategic Command to continue to project global strike capabilities and extended deterrence against potential adversaries while providing assurance to our allies through deployments such as this," said Haney. "The U.S. is committed to regional security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and USSTRATCOM forces are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week conducting operations to detect and deter strategic attack against the United States of America and our allies. Strategic bomber deployments such as these are just one way in which USSTRATCOM supports USPACOM in accomplishing that stability."

The deployment demonstrates the U.S. capability to provide a flexible and always-ready force to respond to a variety of threats and situations within USSTRATCOM's global strike and strategic deterrence missions.

It also supports U.S. efforts to build and foster partnerships with Asia-Pacific allies.

"Tailoring exercises specific to the AOR during deployments is vital to ensure we have the right mix of aircraft and skill to provide our nation's leaders with credible options and to assure our allies of our commitment," said Maj. Gen. Scott A. Vander Hamm, Eighth Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Global Strike commander, who leads the planning and execution of strategic deterrence and global strike operations for USSTRATCOM.

Additionally, allies in the region benefit from training and interaction with U.S. forces there.

"Deploying forces throughout the Pacific strengthens military-to-military relationships, promotes regional security, improves combined tactical air operations competence, and enhances interoperability of forces, equipment and procedures," said Vander Hamm.

The B-2 Spirit is a long-range, multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions.