Articles

13th Bomb Squadron continues Global Deterrence mission at Andersen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Whitney
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  More than 250 Airmen and four B-2 Spirits, deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Miss., began arriving here Feb. 23, to replace the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and its B-52 Stratofortress' in support of the U.S. Pacific Command Continuous Bomber Presence in the region.

Andersen Air Force Base has hosted the CBP since 2003, when Pacific Air Forces began to routinely deploy B-1, B-2 and B-52 bomber aircraft to Guam on a rotational basis demonstrating U.S. commitment to the region by providing a capable and prudent deterrent force.

The B-2 Spirit has a combination of stealth, long range, large payload and precision weaponry available for use on rotational deployments under the Air Force expeditionary force system further preserving peace and deterrence in the Pacific region.

"This deployment provides an unparalled opportunity for us to fly and train with the newest stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor," said Lt. Col. Jason Armagost, 13th Bomb Squadron commander. "The next couple of months will really highlight and clarify the capabilities that stealth aircraft bring to the table."

The 13th Bomb Squadron is scheduled to be deployed here for four-months, joining the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and the 434th Air Refueling Squadron's KC-135s from Grissom Air Reserve Base.

According to Brig. Gen. Philip Ruhlman, 36th Wing commander, this is the first deployment venue that the B-2 stealth bomber and the F-22 stealth fighter have been at Andersen, bringing the full capability of U.S. stealth aircraft to the Pacific.

The last time B-2 Spirits have deployed to Andersen as the regions Continuous Bomber Presence was the beginning of 2008.