Maint
enance airmen deployed from Ellsworth AFB, S.D., work hard to keep their B-1B bombers ready to deal with adversaries in the war on terror, according to journalist TSgt. Steven Wilson. Spurring the airmen on is CMSgt. Jim Sanders of Ellsworth’s 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who regularly regales his maintainers with true tales from Army troops aided by B-1Bs. He wants to ensure they “never lose focus of why they’re here [in Southwest Asia].” Sanders also has a personal stake in bringing support to ground forces since his son serves with the 82nd Airborne.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
