Air
Combat Command has sent four B-2 bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., to Andersen AFB, Guam, to assume the next “strategic presence” rotation in the Pacific. The Whiteman aircraft replace Barksdale AFB, La., B-52s, which ended their Guam deployment on a high note. The BUFF aircrews got to drop inert weapons during the rotation’s Koa Lightning exercise over Hawaii. The B-2 force last deployed to Guam in summer 2006.
The Air Force expects to start modifying its first B-52H Stratofortress bomber with new engines and other upgrades later this year, following the successful review of the Commercial Engine Replacement Program’s design.