Two Air Force B-1B Lancers deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on June 8, and then flew a 10-hour joint training mission over the South China Sea in conjunction with the Navy's guided-missile destroyer Sterett, according to U.S. Pacific Command.
The Lancers are with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.
The joint training, organized under Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence program, allows the Air Force and Navy to increase interoperability by refining joint tactics, techniques and procedures while strengthening their ability to seamlessly integrate operations, according to a USPACOM news release.
Sterett is part of the Sterett-Dewey Surface Action Group, which is operating with regional naval services to conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability in the Western Pacific.
Since 2004, Air Force bombers such as the B-1B, B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit have been in continuous rotations, providing non-stop security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron previously deployed to Anderson in February to take over continuous bomber presence operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The B-1B’s speed and superior handling characteristics allow it to seamlessly integrate in mixed force packages. These capabilities, when combined with its substantial payload, excellent radar targeting system, long loiter time and survivability, make the B-1B a key element of any joint/composite strike force.
