B-1B bombers from Ellsworth AFB, S.D.,—the base that narrowly escaped the BRAC ax—Monday began replacing B-2 Spirits at Andersen AB, Guam. The 120-day tour for the B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman AFB, Mo., ended. Stateside bomber units have been staging out of Andersen to help maintain a strong US presence in the Pacific. Read here about USAF’s plan for a new strike force on Guam and here for the big picture on the Pacific region.
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2026 defense budget, submitted to Congress last week, accelerates the downsizing of the U.S. Air Force. It proposes divesting 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. These cuts risk the Air Force’s ability prevail. “Peace through strength” has...