Pacific Theater Operation Tropic Fury

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A B-52 Stratofortress from Minot AFB, N.D. flies over the Pacific Ocean Jan. 29 during exercise Tropic Fury during a live drop mission. The B-52 dropped 250 lb. M-117 ordnance. The exercise was developed to train aircrew on the use of conventional air launched crew missiles and joint air-to-surface standoff missile conventional weapon systems. The B-52 is deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, with the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and is part of a continous bomber presence in the region. The bomber rotation to Andersen is aimed at enhancing regional security and demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Pacific region. The Air Force will continue to rotate bombers and fighters on a regular basis to ensure regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Pacific Theater Operation Tropic Fury

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- A B-52 Stratofortress from Minot AFB, N.D. flies over the Pacific Ocean Jan. 29 during exercise Tropic Fury during a live drop mission. The B-52 dropped 250 lb. M-117 ordnance. The exercise was developed to train aircrew on the use of conventional air launched crew missiles and joint air-to-surface standoff missile conventional weapon systems. The B-52 is deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, with the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and is part of a continous bomber presence in the region. The bomber rotation to Andersen is aimed at enhancing regional security and demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Pacific region. The Air Force will continue to rotate bombers and fighters on a regular basis to ensure regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Pacific Theater Operation Tropic Fury

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Capt. Patrick Applegate, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, removes ground safety pins on a MAU-12 Jan. 29, prior to a B-52 Stratofortress live drop mission for exercise Tropic Fury over the Farallon de Medinilla Target Range. The B-52 dropped live M-117 ordnance during the exercise. Tropic Fury was developed to train aircrew on the use of conventional air launched crew missiles and joint air-to-surface standoff missile conventional weapon systems. The B-52 is deployed from Minot AFB, N.D., to Andersen AFB, Guam, with the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. Training missions such as this one ensure the maintenance and aircrew both perform real world tactics and defensive measures by loading and dropping live weapons on target. The bomber's participation in constant training helps emphasize the U.S. bomber presence, demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Pacific Theater Operation Tropic Fury

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Capt. Patrick Applegate, 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, removes ground safety pins on a MAU-12 Jan. 29, prior to a B-52 Stratofortress live drop mission for exercise Tropic Fury over the Farallon de Medinilla Target Range. The B-52 dropped live M-117 ordnance during the exercise. Tropic Fury was developed to train aircrew on the use of conventional air launched crew missiles and joint air-to-surface standoff missile conventional weapon systems. The B-52 is deployed from Minot AFB, N.D., to Andersen AFB, Guam, with the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. Training missions such as this one ensure the maintenance and aircrew both perform real world tactics and defensive measures by loading and dropping live weapons on target. The bomber's participation in constant training helps emphasize the U.S. bomber presence, demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Pacific Theater Operation Tropic Fury

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - B-52 Stratofortess pilot Capt. Nathan Mott (left), and co-pilot Capt. Mark Pindar move into pre-contact refueling position Jan. 22, to off-load fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Tropic Fury over the Pacific Ocean. The exercise was developed to train aircrew on the use of conventional air launched crew missiles and joint air to surface standoff missile conventional weapon systems. The B-52, deployed to Andersen A.F.B. Guam with the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, is part of a continous bomber presence in the region. The KC-135 is deployed to Andersen from 434th Air Reserve Wing, Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., supporting Pacific theater refueling operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Raptors Refuel Over Pacific Ocean

An F-22 Raptor moves into position to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean Jan. 28 The Raptors are deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The stealth-fighters, along with associated maintenance and support personnel will participate in various exercises that provide routine training in an environment different from their home station. The F-22 is a highly maneuverable combat aircraft that can avoid enemy detection, cruise at supersonic speeds, and provide the joint force commander an unprecedented level of integrated situational awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald) released

Raptors Refuel Over Pacific Ocean

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - A three-ship of F-22 Raptors fly over the Pacific Ocean Jan. 28. The Raptors are deployed from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Andersen AFB, Guam. Andersen received 12 of the $140 million dollar aircraft and more than 250 Airmen have arrived at the base for a three-month deployment as part of the Pacific's Theater Security Package. The stealth-fighters, along with associated maintenance and support personnel will participate in various exercises that provide routine training in an environment different from their home station. (U.S. Air Force photo Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Raptors Refuel Over Pacific Ocean

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - A three-ship of F-22 Raptors fly over the Pacific Ocean Jan. 28. The Raptors are deployed from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, to the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Andersen AFB, Guam. Andersen received 12 of the $140 million dollar aircraft and more than 250 Airmen have arrived at the base for a three-month deployment as part of the Pacific's Theater Security Package. The stealth-fighters, along with associated maintenance and support personnel will participate in various exercises that provide routine training in an environment different from their home station. (U.S. Air Force photo Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

JASDF F-2 fighters arrive for Cope North 2009

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Japan Air Self Defense Force maintainer Staff Sgt. Hidaka Daisuke inspects the exhaust of a JASDF F-2 after its arrival here for participation in Cope North Jan 30. Cope North is designed to enhance U.S. and Japanese air operations in defense of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt)

JASDF F-2 fighters arrive for Cope North 2009

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - A Japan Air Self Defense Force F-2 fighter taxi's to join nine other F-2s which arrived here Jan. 30 for the 2009 Cope North Exercise. The F-2s are from the 6th Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base, Japan, and are participating in Cope North, an exercise designed to enhance U.S. and Japanese air operations in defense of Japan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt)

JASDF F-2 fighters arrive for Cope North Guam 2009

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Japan Air Self Defense Force maintainers stand ready as two JASDF F-2 attack fighters taxi down the flight line here Jan. 30. The F-2's arrived at Andersen to participate in exercise Cope North. The exercise is one of the longest-running series of exercises in the Pacific theater. Since the first Cope North exercise in 1978, thousands of American and Japanese personnel have honed skills that are vital to maintaining a high level of readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nichelle Griffiths)

JASDF F-2 fighters arrive for Cope North Guam 2009

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Japan Air Self Defense Force F-2 attack fighters from the 6th Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base, Japan, arrived here Jan. 30 to participate in Cope North Guam. Since the first Cope North exercise in 1978, thousands of American and Japanese personnel have honed skills that are vital to maintaining a high level of readiness. The exercise has been in the planning stages for several months and bears no connection to any real-world events. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Nichelle Griffiths)