More than 250 airmen and untold number of B-2 bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, this past weekend to start a new rotation, maintaining a continuous bomber and fighter presence on the island as part of Pacific Air Forces global strike force. The Whiteman bombers are replacing the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron’s B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., which had been deployed to Andersen since January.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3