MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- As part of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission, Airmen with the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron recently deployed from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
The CBP mission provides combatant commanders a global strike and extended-deterrence capability against any potential adversary. The U.S. military has maintained a deployed long-range bomber presence in the Pacific since March 2004, which has contributed significantly to regional security and stability.
“Our job is to be ready to fight tonight, no matter what is asked of us,” said Capt. Nicholas Stein, 23rd Bomb Squadron flight commander. “Our daily training out of Minot Air Force Base is what we rely on to prepare us for that. Recently, we had several home-station exercises where we trained in several aspects of what we can expect to be doing while deployed to the Pacific area of responsibility.”
Following these exercises, 23rd BS B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew to Andersen AFB, where they replaced the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana.
“As the world’s premiere long-range, strategic bomber, the B-52 excels at this mission,” said Stein. “During this deployment, we will be conducting routine training missions in addition to any higher headquarters-directed missions in support of allies in the region – including Australia and Japan.”
These same missions will also provide 23rd EBS Airmen opportunities to advance and strengthen alliances, as well as strengthen long-standing military-to-military partnerships in the region.
“Nobody flies the B-52 better than the world-famous Bomber Barons,” Stein said. “We want to assure the American people and our allies that we can be anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat.”