A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., lands on the flight line in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston
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The Air Force kicked off a bomber task force deployment to Guam coinciding with a large-scale USAF exercise in the region that is intended to reinforce deterrence against China.
B-52H Stratofortress bombers deployed to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, from their home at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Air Force Global Strike Command, which oversees the nation’s bomber force, announced July 9.
The bombers are operating as the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron while deployed and are assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing. The deployment is occurring during the Resolute Forces Pacific, or REFORPAC, exercise, which is scheduled to involve approximately 300 aircraft.
“This deployment is in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with Allies, partners, and joint forces and strategic deterrence missions to reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region,” AFGSC said in a news release.
The command stated there were “multiple” B-52s deployed, but did not indicate how many bombers were part of the BTF. At least two B-52s flew to Guam, according to open-source flight tracking data.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Bethany Jones, 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on a USAF B-52H Stratofortress after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Vincent Padilla
For 16 years, the Air Force maintained a continuous bomber presence on Guam. That ended in 2020 when the service opted to rely on bomber task forces deploying from the U.S. instead to various locations around the world. But Guam remains a regular spot for U.S. bombers.
The Pentagon has not previewed the specific missions the B-52s are scheduled to conduct during their BTF deployment, which have generally been billed as unpredictable and flexible training events. However, AFGSC offered heavy hints that the bombers will likely be participating in one of the multiple exercises occurring in the Pacific this summer.
“This deployment includes support for regional Joint events,” the command stated.
The B-52s on Guam are not the only BUFFs deployed to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command region. There are also four B-52s deployed on the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, where they have been stationed since May after taking over for B-2 Spirits that conducted airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen until the U.S. reached a ceasefire with the group.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Yeingst, 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron production superintendent (left), and USAF Maj. Noah Spitler, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron director of operations (right), conduct an informal post-flight debrief after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The BTF missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness, proficiency, and validate our always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Vincent Padilla)
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, sits on the flight line after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Bethany Jones (left), and USAF Staff Sgt. Peter James Olandez (right), 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron crew chiefs, perform post-flight maintenance on a USAF B-52H Stratofortress after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The U.S. demonstrates commitment to allies and partners, including those in the Indo-Pacific, through the global employment of military forces, such as regular BTF deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Vincent Padilla)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Bethany Jones, 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron assistant dedicated crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on a B-52H Stratofortress after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The BTF missions enhance operational readiness and provide the training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston)
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, receives post-flight maintenance after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The U.S. demonstrates commitment to allies and partners, including those in the Indo-Pacific, through the global employment of military forces, such as regular BTF deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Vincent Padilla)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jovan Marrero, 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on a USAF B-52H Stratofortress after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The BTF missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness, proficiency, and validate the always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston)
U.S. Air Force crew chiefs assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, observe post-flight maintenance on a USAF B-52H Stratofortress after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The BTF missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness, proficiency and validate the always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston)
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, greet new arrivals supporting a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. These missions deter adversaries, assure allies and partners, strengthen interoperability, and maintain readiness and global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter James Olandez, 23rd Expeditionary Bomber Generation Squadron dedicated crew chief, performs post-flight maintenance on a B-52H Stratofortress after a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 7, 2025. The BTF missions enhance operational readiness and provide the training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alyssa Bankston)
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org
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