The U.S. Air Force Rockwell B-1 Lancer supersonic heavy bombers assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, landed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, February 1. The Bomber Task Force mission demonstrates the bomber’s ability to rapidly deploy anywhere, anytime and provide lethal precision global strike options for combatant commanders.Previous B-1B missions during 2022 included aerial integration with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and hot pit refueling operations with the Royal Australian Air Force at RAAF Base Darwin.
“I, along with the entire 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, am excited to be back in the region working alongside our Allies and partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. Our mission here plays a crucial role in ensuring this dynamic region is free from coercion and accessible to everyone. The World-Famous Thunderbirds have a great history, and we look forward to building upon that legacy during this deployment,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Carter, 34th EBS director of operations.
The U.S. Air Force Rockwell B-1 Lancer supersonic heavy bombers will continue to integrate and train with allies and partners through various operations and exercises in the region. Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions support the National Defense Strategy objectives of integrated deterrence and building enduring advantages, enabling strategic bombers to operate forward from a broad array of overseas and continental U.S. locations with greater operational resilience. The relationships U.S. Air Force have with allies in the region are crucial to the security of the Indo-Pacific.
The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force. It is commonly called the “Bone” (from “B-One”). The B-1 was first envisioned in the 1960s as a platform that would combine the Mach 2 speed of the B-58 Hustler with the range and payload of the B-52, and was meant to ultimately replace both bombers. It is one of three strategic bombers serving in the U.S. Air Force fleet along with the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortress as of 2023. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is to begin replacing the B-1B after 2025; all B-1s are planned to be retired by 2036.
