Another B-52 has arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, to keep up the continuous bomber presence following a ground mishap that severely damaged a Stratofortress last month. The bomber, deployed from Minot AFB, N.D., arrived June 2 at the base, according to photos released by Pacific Air Forces. A B-52 deployed from Minot’s 69th Bomb Squadron on May 19 was severely damaged upon landing after a training mission at Andersen, with all seven crew members escaping without injuries before the bomber was almost completely engulfed in flames. Air Force B-52s deployed at a high rate so far this year, with two more arriving this June 1 at RAF Fairford, England, to kick off a rotation through Europe, according to US Air Forces in Europe. B-52s are also still deployed to the Middle East for the ISIS fight in Iraq and Syria.
The Pentagon wants to rapidly acquire new technology for downing hostile drones over military bases in the U.S. without endangering nearby civilians or infrastructure. However, experts maintain that engaging drones near civilian areas will always present challenges that technology alone cannot solve.