The 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., has sent another contingent of B-52H bombers and airmen to fulfill the continuing strategic presence security mission in the Pacific region. The 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron element has returned home to Louisiana, replaced by nine aircraft and some 350 airmen of the 20th EBS, which will remain through October. At part of its recent deployment, the 96th EBS flew a historic mission, striking mock targets at four separate sites in different regions at the same time. On a final training exercise, the 96th B-52s dropped 162 inert Mk-62 sea mines 80 miles south of Guam, practicing the ability of the bombers to dispense the mines in strategic areas that would deter enemies from using select ports, harbors, or ocean ways. (Includes Andersen rotation report and mine-laying report by SSgt. Stephen Teel)
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.