Warbirds leave the nest for Guam

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Airmen board the aircraft taking them to Andersen AFB, Guam here Oct. 2. The almost 300 Airmen are part of a four-month deployment rotation which will provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe Rivera)

Warbirds leave the nest for Guam

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Airman 1st Class Jorge Castro-Lemus, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron traffic management apprentice, scans 1st Lt. Christopher Daniels, 23rd Bomb Squadron co-pilot, for any unauthorized metals he may have on his person as part of a pre-deployment activity here Oct. 2. During the four-month deployment, almost 300 Airmen and more than five B-52H Stratofortresses will provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe Rivera)

Warbirds leave the nest for Guam

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Henry Reed and Airman 1st Class Standley Hawkins, both of the 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron, secure a pallet load here as part of a deployment to Andersen AFB, Guam, here Oct. 2. During the four-month deployment, almost 300 Airmen and more than five B-52H Stratofortresses will provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe Rivera)

Warbirds leave the nest for Guam

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – Chief Master Sgt. Mark Clark, 5th Bomb Wing command chief, says hello to Staff Sgt. Steven Bailey’s son during the pre-deployment activities here Oct. 2. Sergeant Bailey, a small engine mechanic from the 5th Maintenance Operations Squadron, is one of nearly 300 Airmen from the base deploying to Andersen AFB, Guam to provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joe Rivera)

Warbirds leave the nest for Guam

Published Oct. 7, 2008
By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- More than five B-52H Stratofortresses and nearly 300 warbrids left the nest here Oct. 2 to Andersen AFB, Guam, on a four-month rotation deployment.

"The whole purpose of them going out there is to provide a continuous bomber presence in U.S. Pacific Command," said 1st Lt. Thy Pham-Cieliesz, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron, installation deployment officer.

The warbirds' spirits were high as they prepared to depart to the tropical island.

"Everyone is really excited to get out there," Lieutenant Pham-Cieliesz said. "The weather is really nice over there, so everyone is looking forward to the warm sunny weather."

At least two of the warbirds had a double-reason to be happy about going: supporting the mission and seeing family.

One of those Warbird's excited to deploy is 1st Lt. Derek Williams, 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52 radar navigator.

"This will be my first deployment and I'm excited that it's Guam," said1st Lt. Derek Williams, 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52 radar navigator. "I have family and friends there, so it will be great to not only support missions for PACOM, but also to reunite with friends."

Senior Shaina Smith, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications navigation mission systems specialist, had similar feelings.

"I'm excited to be going," she said. "I've been waiting for two years to go on this deployment. Also, I have family on Guam, so I'm excited to see them too."

The last time the 5th BW deployed to Guam was in August 2006, accomplishing all its missions and helping launch 201 perfect sorties during the five-month deployment.

The Warbirds getting ready to deploy now are scheduled to return in mid-February 2009.