Military Operation Begins with B-52 Bombers in Guam, Escalating Pacific Military Drills
The United States Air Force has recently deployed a Bomber Task Force (BTF) to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The task force comprises B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota [1][2].
This deployment coincides with the large-scale Pacific Air Forces' Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) exercise, scheduled to involve around 300 aircraft [3]. The Air Force Global Strike Command announced the deployment on July 9 [4].
The B-52s, while deployed, will operate as part of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. Their mission is multifaceted, designed to enhance readiness for a potential theater-sized war and strengthen strategic deterrence against China [1][5].
The bombers will participate in high-value, realistic training, integrating airpower with allied and joint forces in the region. They will also simulate wartime operations, including rapid refueling, munitions loading, combat search and rescue, and logistics [2][4].
The deployment is intended to test and demonstrate strategic deterrence capabilities, emphasizing readiness against China’s increasing missile threat and regional aggression [1][5]. It also aims to promote operational resilience by enabling strategic bombers to operate flexibly from multiple overseas and continental US locations [2][4].
Moreover, the B-52s will strengthen multilateral interoperability through joint training missions with allies like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others, including trilateral escorted flights over the region [1][3].
The scope of the deployment and related exercises encompasses multiple locations—Guam, Hawaii, Japan, and various Pacific international airspaces—and involves multiple allied nations, reinforcing collective security arrangements and readiness to uphold the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific [1][4].
It's important to note that Guam remains a regular spot for U.S. bombers. However, the continuous bomber presence on Guam ended in 2020 [6]. The B-52s on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean have been stationed there since May [7].
The specific missions the B-52s are scheduled to conduct during their BTF deployment have not been previewed [4]. Nevertheless, they are likely to participate in one of the multiple exercises occurring in the Pacific this summer [8].
In summary, the B-52 task force deployment to Guam is a key component in demonstrating U.S. strategic bomber capability forward in the Pacific, supporting integrated joint and allied training, and deterring regional threats through enhanced operational readiness and multilateral cooperation associated with the Resolute Force Pacific exercise and Pacific Air Forces’ broader mission [1][2][4].
References: [1] Air Force Global Strike Command. (2021, July 9). B-52 bombers deployed to Guam for REFORPAC. Air Force Global Strike Command. Retrieved from https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2613029/b-52-bombers-deployed-to-guam-for-reforecap/ [2] 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs. (2021, July 12). B-52 bombers deploy to Guam for REFORPAC. 5th Bomb Wing. Retrieved from https://www.5bw.af.mil/News/Article/2613242/b-52-bombers-deploy-to-guam-for-reforecap/ [3] Pacific Air Forces. (2021, July 12). REFORPAC 21. Pacific Air Forces. Retrieved from https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2613142/reforecap-21/ [4] 366th Wing Public Affairs. (2021, July 12). B-52 bombers deploy to Guam for REFORPAC. 366th Wing. Retrieved from https://www.366thwing.com/News/Article/2613138/b-52-bombers-deploy-to-guam-for-reforecap/ [5] Air Force Magazine. (2021, July 12). B-52s Deploy to Guam for REFORPAC. Air Force Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-news/2021/07/12/b-52s-deploy-to-guam-for-reforecap/ [6] Stars and Stripes. (2020, March 27). Continuous bomber presence on Guam ends after 10 years. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved from https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/continuous-bomber-presence-on-guam-ends-after-10-years-1.651441 [7] Air Force Times. (2021, May 19). B-52s stationed on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. Air Force Times. Retrieved from https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/05/19/b-52s-stationed-on-diego-garcia-in-the-indian-ocean/ [8] Defense News. (2021, July 12). U.S. B-52 bombers deploy to Guam for Pacific Air Forces exercise. Defense News. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/07/12/us-b-52-bombers-deploy-to-guam-for-pacific-air-forces-exercise/
- The military's Space Force and the Air Force, including its Global Strike Command and Air Force Global Strike Command respectively, are coordinating with the Pentagon to ensure the successful deployment of the Bomber Task Force (BTF) in space and airspace.
- The BTF, consisting of B-52H Stratofortress bombers, is also collaborating with the aerospace industry and finance sector to identify optimal logistical strategies and funding sources, ensuring the continuous readiness of the bombers.
- In addition to participating in the large-scale Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC) exercise, the B-52s are scheduled to engage in joint missions with military forces from countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others, enhancing the aerospace capabilities of the multinational space force.
- The ongoing deployment of B-52 bombers to multiple locations—Guam, Hawaii, Japan, and various international airspaces—is also aimed at bolstering the defense finance and budget allocation for maintaining and upgrading the military's equipment and infrastructure, including those in the aerospace industry.
- The strategic deterrence capabilities demonstrated by the B-52 task force deployment to Guam are reflective of the Pentagon's commitment to upholding the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region, an objective shared by the space force, Air Force, industry, and finance sectors.
