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Dyess Airmen arrive in Indo-Pacific for Bomber Task Force, integrate with Koku-Jieitai, U.S. Navy

Two B-1B Lancer aircraft prepare to land during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 21, 2020.

Two B-1B Lancer aircraft prepare to land during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 21, 2020. Airmen with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron will conduct missions during the deployment that will showcase Air Force Global Strike Command’s abilities to deliver lethal, ready, long-range strike options to geographic combatant commanders anytime, anywhere.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducts training with a Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-15 fighter in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, October 20, 2020.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducts training with a Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-15 fighter in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, October 20, 2020. Bomber Task Force missions help maintain global stability and security while enabling units to become familiar with operations in different regions.

Senior Airman Zach Cruz, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew chief, closes a panel after inspecting a B-1B Lancer auxiliary power unit during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 20, 2020.

Senior Airman Zach Cruz, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew chief, closes a panel after inspecting a B-1B Lancer auxiliary power unit during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 20, 2020. The BTF helps the Airmen focus on the full spectrum readiness of military operations, whether it’s combat missions, humanitarian assistance or disaster relief.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducts training with two Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-15 fighters in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, October 20, 2020.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducts training with two Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-15 fighters in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, October 20, 2020. Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. commitment to allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility and the ability of Air Force Global Strike Command to deliver lethal, ready and long-range strike options to Geographic Combatant Commanders anytime, anywhere.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducts training with two Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-15J fighters in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, October 20, 2020.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducts training with two Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self Defense Force) F-15J fighters in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, October 20, 2020. Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. commitment to allies and partners throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility and the ability of Air Force Global Strike Command to deliver lethal, ready and long-range strike options to Geographic Combatant Commanders anytime, anywhere.

Senior Airman Andrew Burris, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew chief, tightens a B-1B Lancer aircraft main landing gear, during a Bomber Task Force deployment, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 20, 2020.

Senior Airman Andrew Burris, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew chief, tightens a B-1B Lancer aircraft main landing gear, during a Bomber Task Force deployment, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 20, 2020. The BTF deployment enables Airmen to gain experience and become efficient in deployment and execution processes.

A water salute is performed as a B-1B Lancer aircraft taxis during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 21, 2020.

A water salute is performed as a B-1B Lancer aircraft taxis during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 21, 2020. Airmen with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron will conduct missions during the deployment that will showcase Air Force Global Strike Command’s abilities to deliver lethal, ready, long-range strike options to geographic combatant commanders anytime, anywhere.

Two B-1B Lancer aircraft sit on a runway during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 21, 2020.

Two B-1B Lancer aircraft sit on a runway during a Bomber Task Force deployment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 21, 2020. BTF missions provide opportunities to integrate plans and synchronize strategic activities and capabilities with other Combatant Commands to improve the U.S. military’s ability to become a more agile force.

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

Approximately 200 Airmen and four B-1B Lancer aircraft with the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) from Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, to conduct Bomber Task Force missions in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces, Oct. 20, 2020.

BTF missions enable Airmen to continuously conduct operations throughout the world at a moment’s notice to help maintain global stability and security while enabling units to become familiar with operations in different regions.

“Every bomber task force is important because they accomplish both tactical and strategic objectives,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Stallsworth, 9th EBS commander. “As we conduct training operations, we are able to increase our bomber force lethality, readiness and experience across the force. It also demonstrates the department of defense’s ability to operate in an agile fashion to the world.”

Before arriving, the bombers integrated with 16 F-15s and 2 F-2s from the Japanese Self-Defense Force (JASDF) in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan.

“The training proved to be a very good opportunity to improve tactical skills as well as to show our commitment to the robust Japan-U.S. alliance and the region,” said JASDF Lt Col. Kobayashi Yoshiyuki, Commander, 305th Fighter Squadron. “Through continued bilateral trainings between the Koku-Jieitai and the U.S. Air Force, we are tough and strong, and always ready. We will continue working together with ally and partners to achieve a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

The bombers also integrated with the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) in the western Pacific Ocean.

“Our ultimate strength in the Indo-Pacific is joint force lethality—our ability to train and operate as one layered, capable, and credible combat team,” said Capt. Luke Frost, USS America’s commanding officer. “The Air Force plays hard.  Integrated air defense and sea control operations leveraging top-shelf capabilities of both the Navy and Air Force, like this, allow us to continually field a joint force ready to fight and win.”

The US. Air Force has modified its force employment model to enable strategic bombers to operate forward in the Indo-Pacific region from a broader array of worldwide locations with greater operational resilience to align with the National Defense Strategy’s objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability.

“Every one of these operations is an opportunity for us to gain critical experience and become efficient in the deployment and execution processes,” Stallsworth said. “The U.S. Air Force is willing to and capable of operating out of different strategic locations. Our dynamic force employment construct helps us focus on being operationally unpredictable while still being strategically predictable.”

Having the B-1B Lancer aircraft at Andersen AFB enables U.S. Air Force personnel the ability to conduct training missions alongside their fellow Airmen within the Indo-Pacific and potentially work with their counterparts from allied and partner nations within the region.

“Training alongside our allies is important because it improves our combined military capabilities and the likelihood of success to accomplish military objectives,” Stallsworth said. “Reinforcing our connectivity and building personal relationships with our allies is critical to seamlessly executing combined objectives in the future.”

The BTF also helps the Airmen focus on the full spectrum readiness of military operations, whether it’s combat missions, humanitarian assistance or disaster relief.

“This deployment has everything to do with developing the integral elements of agile combat employment,” said Capt. David Teubl, 9th EBS project officer. “Whether that’s working with new entities to provide our capabilities and discuss requirements needed to complete tasks or simply changing how we complete our missions to become more agile.”

Airmen and B-1B Lancers from Dyess AFB last deployed to Guam in May in support of BTF operations. Read the story here: https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2215661/us-air-force-b-1s-jasdf-fighters-complete-several-training-missions-in-one-month/