Airc
rews flying the B-1B bomber, known as the Bone, in Southwest Asia say it is the “backbone of America’s long-range bomber force.” Air Force journalist Maj. Ann Knabe reports on one Bone mission over Afghanistan, quoting Lt. Col. David Been, 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander, who said the B-1 is “wicked fast,” making it possible to “respond anywhere in Afghanistan within minutes.” That time is crucial when the bomber crew must answer a “troops in contact” request, which means friendlies are under attack and “there’s no time to spare,” said Been. The B-1 can put precision munitions on target or simply rout an enemy force by its presence. Capt. Craig Morrison, weapons systems officer, describes the B-1 as “great for showing power, [because] we fly low, we fly fast and let the enemy know we are there.”
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
