Massive deployment of US Army B-1 strategic bombers: “Our mission is clear”

The US Air Force has made a move in the Pacific, relocating part of the fleet of B-1B Lancer strategic bombers to a US airbase on the island of Guam.

It represents the first time in three decades that the bombers have been moved from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota. It’s not the sign of any mounting offensive, simply a part of the military’s modernisation effort to prepare the Ellsworth runway for arrival of the next-generation B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

However, this massive deployment of bombers also sends a strategic message.

B-1B bombers have been redeployed to two key Air Force bases. The fleet has been split, with some going to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota and other planes heading to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam as part of the Bomber Task Force. The decision to position some of these bombers in Guam reinforces the US military presence in the Indo-Pacific, a region where Washington is looking to counter China’s influence and maintain its ability to respond to potential threats.

The B-1B Lancer, which entered service in 1986, has been a key part of the U.S. Air Force. Unlike other strategic bombers such as the B-52, the B-1B does not carry nuclear weapons, but its supersonic speed and ability to deliver long-range conventional missiles and bombs make it a vital asset in military operations. Despite its age, the B-1B still plays an important role in U.S. deterrence strategy, especially in operations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific.

What does this mean for US military interventions?

After so long on US soil, the shift of B-1B bombers to an overseas base does mark a change in American military aviation strategy. Ellsworth Air Force Base will become the first home of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber, the future replacement for the B-1B and the veteran B-2 Spirit.

The modernization of the base is a key step in preparing for the arrival of this sixth-generation aircraft, designed to operate in highly contested environments and evade sophisticated air defense systems.

Andrew Feigen, commander of the 37th Bomber Squadron, explained the reason for the move: “The mighty B-1 has been around for over 40 years and the foundational mission remains the same: win today, dominate tomorrow.”

He continued: “From production to the technicians to the lowest level, elevating the lethality of the B-1 maintainer in partnership with Grand Forks will cause pause in our enemies.”

Ellsworth’s modernization ushers in the arrival of the B-21 Raider, but should not undermine the role that the B-1B Lancer continues to play in strategic defense. Air Force is making clear that even as it prepares for the next generation of bombers, its current fleet remains a vital tool in maintaining security.

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