Warbirds set to depart for Guam deployment

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wesley Wright
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Almost 300 Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing and more than five B-52H Stratofortresses are set to deploy to Andersen AFB, Guam, at the end of the month and beginning of October to provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

"This is an opportunity for us to get out and stretch our muscles, exercising the other half of the mission we have: deterrence from a bomber perspective," said Col. Joel Westa, 5th Bomb Wing commander. "We are going to do some great things out there."

While addressing the wing's deploying Warbirds here Sept. 19 at the base theater, Colonel Westa laid out a three-step plan for a successful deployment:

1.) Execute the tasking from PACOM. 

"That takes everyone here," Colonel Westa said. "That's my goal when you come back ... to have PACOM say, 'good on you. You did everything we asked you to do and you did it well.'" 

2.) Use time wisely. 

"Improve yourself and the island while you're there. Show them what Minot's Airmen can do," the wing commander said. 

3.) Everyone come home safely. 

"That will be the absolute measure of a successful deployment," Colonel Westa said. "Be safe and use your wingmen wisely." 

1st Lt. Derek Williams, 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52 radar navigator, is excited about the opportunity to deploy.

"This will be my first deployment and I'm excited that it's Guam," the lieutenant said. "I have family and friends there, so it will be great to not only support missions for PACOM, but also to reunite with friends."

Colonel Westa, who was stationed at Anderson AFB from June 2006 to October 2007 as the 36th Wing vice commander, said in his experience, Andersen always looks forward to the Warbirds' arrival.

"We loved when Minot came," he said. "People were so friendly and nice. Keep that legacy going. Get there and make a difference."

Colonel Westa will visit the deployers in December and plans to help serve his Airmen a holiday meal.

"Next time you see me, I'll be slopping chow on Christmas morning for you guys," he said.

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.