Feature Search

Barksdale Airmen redeploy after supporting CBP

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Airmen from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron prepare to redeploy back to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., after a six-month deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

In October 2012, the 96th EBS arrived on Andersen with six B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, 70 aircrew members and more than 200 maintenance and support Airmen to assist United States Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence.

Upon arrival, the maintenance and support personnel integrated into the 36th Maintenance Group and the aircrews started to generate sorties in large numbers that broke records since the CBP mission began in 2004.

During their deployment, the 96th EBS flew a total of 275 sorties, logged 1,466 flight hours and released 839 weapons on training sites with a combined weight of 182,923 pounds. They also supported base exercises and directed missions while in theater.

"During the deployment, the 96th EBS was able to forward deploy to Diego Garcia and generate sorties that greatly enhanced the ability of the 36th Wing to support United States Central Command operations," said Lt. Col. Ryan Link, 96th EBS commander. "This is the first time in more than two years that aircraft supporting the CBP was able to generate airpower from this forward-deployed location."

The unit began their deployment in October by bringing six additional B-52's and additional maintainers, support and aircrews, totaling12 aircraft and 17 aircrews from Barksdale AFB. The additional crews and aircraft returned to Barksdale AFB in November.

"This was the largest bomber presence supporting CBP since the mission started in 2004," Link said. "Having all 12 bombers here at once was a challenge, but the teamwork between the maintenance and operation units made it possible. I'm glad we had the opportunity to train with all 12 jets here at Andersen."

The 96th EBS also set records and maintained an 83 percent launch rate for sorties. "The 96th EBS production rate is the highest sortie-launch percentage in nine years," Link said. We finished our deployment with the best overall mission capable rate, supply rate, abort rate, flying scheduling effectiveness, and 12-hour fix rates in the history of CBP operations.

"The 96th EBS has set the bar for incoming units supporting the CBP," Link continued. "But this success could not have happened without the incredible relationship between operations and maintenance."

With the unit's high operations tempo, maintenance and operations Airmen worked closely to ensure the mission was a success and met or exceeded all PACOM CBP objectives.

"This is the best relationship between operations and maintenance around," said Col. Kim Brooks, 36th Maintenance Group commander. "Without cooperation and teamwork from both sides, the CBP mission would not be as successful. Due to this great relationship, the 96th EBS has surpassed all expectations."

Even though the unit's main mission while deployed was to generate sorties, they were still able to reach out to the local community and volunteer.

"It was great for the unit to be able to make time for community service projects," Link said. "We had the unique experience of being deployed to Guam during the holiday season, and for us, it was home away from home. We really appreciate how Andersen and Guam treated us like family during our stay."

With the mission success and involvement in the community, the 96th EBS leaves a lasting impression on Andersen, the CBP mission and the Asia-Pacific theater.

"They say time flies when you're having fun, and we have had a great time together," said Col. Randy Kaufman, 36th Operations Group commander, during the unit's final briefing. "With your day-to-day operations of generating sorties and maintaining aircraft, you definitely made a difference in the Asia-Pacific theater. You should be very proud of your accomplishments. I am proud of what you did here at Andersen and you will be missed."

The 96th EBS will be replaced by the next rotation from the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot AFB, N.D., to continue the CBP mission at Andersen.