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)