Flexibility and precision

Maj. Kevin Templin, 393rd ENS standardization and evaluation officer (left) and Lt. Col. John Vitacca, 393rd EBS commander, take over their jet from the pre-flight crew that reported earlier to prepare this stealth bomber for its global power mission. The two ship formation, which was bound for Alaska, was re-tasked in the middle of the sortie. One stealth bomber diverted and struck training targets in Hawaii. This operation, a first for the B-2, showed how flexible America’s most advanced bomber can be for any combatant commander. (Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson)

Flexibility and precision

Global reach requires global legs to get there! Aerial refueling is an integral part of the global strike capability of the stealth bomber. Aerial refueling squadrons are a part of the continuous bomber presence here and their aircraft and Airmen rotate in and out of Andersen on a regular basis. (Courtesy photo)

Stealth global power mission shows bomber flexibility; Aircraft re-tasked mid-mission for first time

Published Jan. 3, 2008
By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
36th Operations Group Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed here with their B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., made history December 18 when one jet in a two ship formation was diverted to another tasking during a global power sortie originally destined to Alaska.

The global power missions, which are well more than 20 hours long, demonstrate the global strike capability of America's bomber force.

"The jets were launched with flight plans and mission materials for Alaska," said Lt. Col. John Vitacca, 393rd EBS commander. "However, in flight, one jet was re-tasked to Hawaii and was sent new target information to facilitate coordinated weapons releases with ground parties at Pohakuloa Training Range."

Both bombers later hit their intended targets near simultaneously. This was the first time in B-2 history a global power sortie had been electronically redirected in-flight to attack a previously unplanned target area.

This ability to instantly adjust target sets is a cornerstone of America's airpower.

In the 1950's British Field Marshall Montgomery said, "The greatest asset of airpower is flexibility. The main factors in determining the degree of flexibility are the methods of command and control, the range of aircraft and the mobility of supporting equipment."

The technological advances in aircraft range coupled with the Air Force's expeditionary ability to deploy anywhere to support the flying mission allow for flexibility Field Marshall Montgomery could've only dreamed of more than 50-years ago.

"This tasking demonstrates how flexible our Airmen and aircraft are," said Col. Damian McCarthy, 36th Operations Group commander. "Our global strike capability can be adjusted mid-mission should the combatant commander deem it necessary. The strategic battlefield is in a constant state of flux and our adaptability makes our bomber force a very lethal platform."

The B-2 Spirit brings a combination of stealth, long range, large payload and precision weaponry to the theater. This weapons system is fully mature and available for use on rotational deployments under the Air Force Expeditionary Force systems preserving peace and deterrence in the Western Pacific.