U.S. Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate credible military capabilities to preserve peace in the Indo-Pacific

U.S. Strategic Command

Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions demonstrate the United States’ capability to efficiently oversee its bomber forces for all assigned missions anywhere in the world at any time, often integrating and training with Allies and Partners throughout the region.

In 2023, BTF missions routinely and visibly demonstrated that together Allies and Partners are stronger and more effective at deterring threats and defending shared values and interests.

In February, U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers, long-range heavy bombers that can carry the largest conventional payload of guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force’s inventory, landed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to conduct BTF missions. The missions demonstrate the U.S.’s ability to rapidly deploy anywhere, anytime and to provide lethal precision global strike options for combatant commanders.

“Our mission here plays a crucial role in ensuring this dynamic region is free from coercion and accessible to everyone,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Carter, director of operations, 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.

In March, the bombers conducted a combined aerial exercise with Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters and U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters over the Korean Peninsula.

Together, the ROK and U.S. have a robust combined defense posture and continue to strengthen interoperability, increase deployment capability of flexible response forces, and increase robust wartime strategic strike capabilities.

The B-1B Lancers rounded out their deployment by participating in exercise Cope India 2023 alongside the Indian Air Force. The long-standing U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) exercise enhances India-U.S. cooperation and builds on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics and force employment. This iteration marked the first B-1B Lancer participation in an exercise with India.

The partnership between Indian and U.S. forces continues to grow through information sharing, liaison officers, defense enabling agreements and increasingly complex exercises such as Cope India. “Opportunities such as Cope India increase our mutual understanding, enabling an open dialogue and exchange of ideas that will be fruitful moving forward,” said Lt. Col. Jared Tomlin, deputy commander of the 28th Operations Group, who led the 34th Bomb Squadron in India.

The increasing combat capability and improving warfighter compatibility between the Indian and U.S. Air Forces further highlights the nations’ efforts and commitment to regional stability and security.

No sooner had the B-1Bs departed Guam in April, than more than 210 Airmen and four B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived to continue supporting PACAF training with Allies and Partners and joint forces.

The BTF operations support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command missions by giving aircrews the opportunity to familiarize themselves with operating in a joint and coalition environment. The BTF also helps Airmen focus on the full spectrum of military operations, including combat missions, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

“The Bomber Task Force, and specifically the B-52s in the Indo-Pacific region, not only allows our crew force to hone their superior technical and weapons system expertise, but also sends an extremely important message,” said Lt. Col. Vanessa Wilcox, commander of 96th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. “It demonstrates our continued readiness and commitment to our allies in the region to ensure freedom of movement now and in the future, as well as ensures stability in the region.”

An example of this training occurred in early April when two U.S. Air Force bombers, along with two KC-135 refueling aircraft and four F-35 fighters, integrated with four Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15 fighters over the Sea of Japan, exemplifying the alliance’s ability to quickly and decisively respond to threats against Japan.

Soon after, ROK Air Force F-35As and U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons escorted the two B-52H strategic bombers as they entered the Korean air defense identification zone for combined flight operations. The training allowed the ROK-U.S. alliance to further strengthen interoperability by demonstrating a combined defense capability and providing extended deterrence for the Korean Peninsula.

The bombers also supported strategic missions, flying more than 412 hours while deployed in the Indo-Pacific, and completing 29 sorties while integrating with four allied partners and 30 joint force aircraft of 10 types. The U.S. Air Force and Navy integration was heavily focused on enhancing bomber integration with maritime warfare.

In both June and July, 200 U.S. Airmen and four B-52H Stratofortresses arrived at Guam to continue integrating strategic bomber capabilities in a joint and coalition environment. “Training and operating in the priority theater allows us to demonstrate our continued readiness, willingness and commitment to our Allies and Partners,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Loucks, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron BTF commander.

That was followed by U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers, B-2 Spirits and B-52H Stratofortresses integrating in a joint mission at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where the aircraft executed training missions as a force package to enhance interoperability and the massing of bombers. The operational teaming of the three U.S. bomber platforms gives theater commanders expanded options and more flexibility in employing air power in warfighting scenarios.

“Enhancing that capability within our bomber force is crucial to ensuring we can provide a credible, effective deterrent and respond to any crisis across the globe,” said Gen. Ken Wilsbach, PACAF commander.

In October, U.S. Air Force F-16s, JASDF F-2s and ROK Air Force F-15Ks conducted a trilateral escort flight of a U.S. B-52H Stratofortress operating in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise strengthened interoperability and demonstrated the strength of the trilateral relationship.

That same month, a nuclear-capable U.S. B-52H Stratofortress landed on the Korean Peninsula to participate in the 2023 Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance. The iconic, long-range heavy bomber performed flyovers during the exhibition, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to the stability and security of South Korea and the region, promoting standardization and interoperability of equipment, and displaying capabilities critical to military success.

During the flyovers, the B-52H — the first such aircraft to land on the peninsula in 30 years — flew alongside ROK Air Force F-35As in what Wilcox described as a “momentous occasion.”

The ROK-U.S. alliance “has proven ironclad in the face of challenges over the many decades. It is among the most interoperable, capable and dynamic bilateral alliances in the world,” said Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, 7th Air Force commander and U.S. Forces Korea deputy commander. “We are honored to demonstrate our commitment to this partnership as part of our continued pledge to promote peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.”

Also at ADEX, about 200 U.S. service members showcased other highly capable and lethal assets in static displays, flyovers and aerial demonstrations, including the F-22 Raptor, the F-35B Lightning II, and transport, tactical, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Their presence strengthened the ROK-U.S. relationship by enabling face-to-face dialogue with Allies and Partners, which promotes interoperability and mutual understanding.

Throughout 2023 and beyond, such BTF missions demonstrate that the U.S. and its Allies and Partners in the Indo-Pacific are engaged, postured and ready with credible forces to assure, deter and defend sovereign territory against aggression in an increasingly complex security environment.