96 EBS wraps up eventful deployment, heads home

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The Devil's Own 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron has concluded yet another successful deployment to Andersen Air Force Base in support of Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence.

The Red Devils had hardly planted two feet on the ground before the squadron launched into an intensive series of training sorties with allied nations. Crews flew nonstop from Andersen to multiple areas throughout the Pacific, training on ranges in Australia, East Asia and Hawaii, honing their ability to put bombs on target, on time. This exemplified Air Force Global Strike Command's ability to rapidly strike anywhere in the vast Asian Pacific region with its Guam based B-52 aircraft.

"Flying these 18-hour sorties can be exhausting," said Capt. Allen Agnes, 96 EBS plans and programs. "Long endurance training flights teach a crew how to cope with realistic conditions and what can be an incredibly fatiguing experience."

Taking to the skies with Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Coast Guardsmen, the 96 EBS also participated in Exercise Northern Edge in Alaska.

According to the Northern Edge 2011 factsheet, the exercise is designed to sharpen skills of participants by practicing operations, techniques, and procedures. The event provides forces ready for deployment worldwide and enables real world proficiency in detection and tracking of units at sea, in the air and on land, and response to multiple crises.

Striking a particularly high note for 36th Wing, the exercise also marked the first "forward deployment from a deployed location" employment of CBP aircraft.

Adding to their flying resume, the 96 EBS returned from Alaska more motivated than ever, participating in Exercises Diamond Strike, Aces North and Talisman Sabre alongside the Royal Australian Air Force. The training involved flying sorties to the Delamere Range Facility and the Showalter Bay Training Area in Australia.

"The success of these training opportunities reflects the closeness of our alliance and the strength of the ongoing military-military relationship," Captain Agnes said. "During our time here, we were able to meet 218 percent of our higher headquarters directed missions, totaling 190 sorties and nearly 1,500 flying hours-the highest ops tempo in three years."

Between flying missions, the 96 EBS found time to attend the 36 Wing Dining Out, and was the largest unit in attendance alongside 7th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Remington and the Lieutenant Governor of Guam, the Hon. Ray Tenorio.

The ambitious squadron also made community involvement a priority, and were awarded the Na' La Bonita Guam award for their outstanding commitment to keeping local beaches clean, safe and beautiful, an initiative fondly dubbed the 9+6 Beach Clean-Up.

"We found a natural point of synergy between the military and the Government of Guam's Department of Parks and Recreation," said Col. John Edwards, 96 EBS commander. "Some discussions and a shared desire to support the all-important military-civilian relationship enabled us to accomplish what we did."

Perhaps even more meaningful to the people of Guam, the loaner squadron flew a single sortie over the Governor's Complex and Chamorro Village in celebration of Guam's 67th Liberation Day Parade, July 21.

Fewer airspace restrictions, closer training ranges and the miles of open ocean that surround the island make Guam a unique environment difficult to replicate during stateside training flights. Though their time on-island has come to a close, the Barksdale AFB, L.A. natives will take with them invaluable experience and lessons learned.

"In the end, we achieved our mission to help maintain stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region, thus supporting Pacific Command's objectives and goals," Colonel Edwards said.