Air Force and Navy elements on Guam joined forces for a week’s worth of sea mine planting earlier this month. Aircrews flying B-52 bombers deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, dropped 92 Mk 62 and four Mk 56 mines over the course of 10 sorties. Senior Chief Petty Officer John Pipkin with the Navy’s Mobile Mine Assembly Unit 8 on Guam explained that the mines provide both defensive deterrent and offensive strike capability and added, “When we need to lay a lot of mines quickly, bombers are the platform of choice.”
Active-duty Airmen and Guardians haven’t missed any paychecks yet as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. But with tens of thousands of military spouses working as civilians for the federal government, many families still face financial strain and stress.
