Bomber trio participates in first integrated bomber operation in Pacif

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- History was made Aug. 17 when all three of Air Force Global Strike Command's strategic power projection bombers, the B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, simultaneously took to the sky during their first integrated bomber operation in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Though all the aircraft have deployed independently to the U.S. Pacific Command’s area of responsibility in the past, this was the first time all three bombers flew a formation pass over Andersen Air Force Base, dispersed and then simultaneously conducted operations in the South China Sea and Northeast Asia.

“This mission demonstrated the U.S. commitment to supporting global security and our ability to launch a credible strategic defense force," said Brig. Gen. Douglas Cox, the 36th Wing commander.

Missions such as this provide opportunities for bomber crews to integrate and train with allies and partners in a variety of missions and are also designed to strengthen capabilities by familiarizing aircrews with Andersen’s geographic area of operations.