Three B-52H bombers stationed at Andersen AFB, Guam, as part of the 96th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron from Barksdale AFB, La., completed 13-hour training flights to an Australian training range Sept. 21 and 22. The mission gave the bomber aircrews the opportunity to practice long-duration flights and cooperate with Australian joint terminal attack controllers in close air support bombing roles. “It was definitely a long sortie, but it was worth it in the end,” said 1st Lt. Jason Duhon, electronic warfare officer on one of the B-52s. He added, “I learned how other coalition forces operate, and I learned a good deal about crew coordination on a long sortie.” The 96th EBS, on Guam since late May, was scheduled to return to Barksdale on Sept. 26; replacing it is an expeditionary complement from its sister unit, the 20th BS. (Andersen report by SSgt. Jennifer Redente)
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.