Ellsworth Rotates GSTF Airmen: The 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., has another 200-strong increment of airmen on its way to Andersen AFB, Guam, to replace the airmen deployed there since August as part of a Global Strike Task Force. The wing is leaving the six B-1Bs brought in by the first rotation, reports KUAM TV. Stateside bomber units have been deploying to Guam on four-month rotations to provide additional strike capability in the Pacific region.
The Air Force plans to add external weapons pylons on the B-1B bomber, both to increase the number of aircraft that can test hypersonic missiles and expand the Lancer’s loadout as USAF transitions to the B-21 bomber.