USAF Global Strike Command Officials Assume B-52, B-2 Mission

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AF Global Strike Command Officials Assume B-52, B-2 Mission
UNITED STATES - 1 FEBRUARY 2010

This action completes the step-by-step transfer of all Air Force long-range, nuclear-capable assets to the Air Force's newest major command

Air Force Global Strike Command officials here assumed responsibility for the Air Force's nuclear-capable bomber force Feb. 1.

This action completes the step-by-step transfer of all Air Force long-range, nuclear-capable assets to the Air Force's newest major command.

The nation's intercontinental ballistic missile force became part of Air Force Global Strike Command on Dec. 1, 2009.

The command staff will gain the 8th Air Force and its three bomb wings, one each at Barksdale Air Force Base, Whiteman AFB, Mo.; and Minot AFB, N.D. Those organizations control all of the B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit bombers and are transitioning from Air Combat Command as a key component of the Air Force's "Nuclear Roadmap."

"We've worked very closely with Gen. William M. Fraser III and his ACC team every step of the way," said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the AFGSC commander. "They have been truly magnificent partners in this endeavor. Even after Feb. 1, we'll still have strong and long-standing ties to ACC as we work closely with them in their special role as lead command for the Combat Air Forces."

The transfer once again places all Air Force assets with a strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike mission -- missiles and bombers -- under one command. This action will provide for "more focused and effective oversight of this important and enduring mission," General Klotz said.

The general also noted that the bombers of 8th Air Force "remain critically important to our nation, as well as to our friends and allies around the world."

The B-52 provides "unique, unmatched stand-off capabilities," and the B-2 has the ability to attack heavily defended targets, he said. "Both bombers also offer combatant commanders important non-nuclear, or conventional, capabilities as they so convincingly demonstrated in both Operation Enduring Freedom and in Operation Iraqi Freedom."

To mark the transfer of the bomber mission to Air Force Global Strike Command, General Klotz is scheduled to visit all three bomber bases on Feb. 1. He will be accompanied by Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, the commander of 8th Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Jack Johnson Jr., the AFGSC command chief. At each of the bases, the leaders will conduct a basewide commander's call to formally welcome the Airmen into the command. They will also meet separately with unit commanders and their first sergeants, civic leaders and local media representatives.

The addition of the bomber units brings Air Force Global Strike Command's force to more than 23,000 people, with about 900 full-time staff expected at the Barksdale AFB headquarters by the end of summer.

Air Force Global Strike Command stood up in August to provide combat-ready forces to conduct nuclear deterrence and global strike operations in support of the president and combatant commanders. When the command took over the ICBM mission Dec. 1, it gained the 20th Air Force mission, with missile wings at Malmstrom AFB, Mont., F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Minot AFB, N.D. The command also gained the 576th Flight Test Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., and the 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.


Air Force Global Strike Command officials assumed responsibility for the Air Force's nuclear-capable bomber force, including the B-52 Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit shown here, Feb. 1, 2010. This action completes the step-by-step transfer of all Air Force long-range, nuclear-capable assets to the Air Force's newest major command.

 

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B-2s arrive at Andersen AFB
UNITED STATES - 24 FEBRUARY 2010

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- More than 240 Airmen assigned to the 393rd Bomb Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., arrived on Andersen recently to support the deployment of B-2 Spirit aircraft as part of the continuous bomber presence here.

The Airmen and aircraft replaced the service members and the B-52 Stratofortresses deployed from the 20th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.

Andersen AFB has had bombers present on its runway since 2004, the year the CBP mission began.

The B-2's stealth characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued and heavily defended targets. The bomber's capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century.

The B-2's low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for even sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2. Many aspects of the low-observability process remain classified; however, the B-2's composite materials, special coatings and flying-wing design all contribute to its "stealthiness."

The B-2s join forces with F-22 Raptors deployed from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, as part of the theater security package. The tandem of premier airframes creates a formidable alliance supporting Andersen AFB's mission within the Pacific region. This is the second pairing of these airframes for this mission.

The first B-2 was publicly displayed on Nov. 22, 1988, when it was rolled out of its hangar at Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, Calif. Its first flight was July 17, 1989. The B-2 Combined Test Force, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is responsible for flight testing the engineering, manufacturing and development of the B-2.

Whiteman AFB, Mo., is the only operational base for the B-2. The first aircraft, the Spirit of Missouri, was delivered Dec. 17, 1993. Depot maintenance responsibility for the B-2 is performed by Air Force contractor support and is managed at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker AFB, Okla.

The combat effectiveness of the B-2 was proved in Operation Allied Force, where it was responsible for destroying 33 percent of all Serbian targets in the first eight weeks, by flying nonstop to Kosovo from its home base in Missouri and back. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the B-2 flew one of its longest missions to date from Whiteman to Afghanistan and back. The B-2 completed its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying 22 sorties from a forward operating location as well as 27 sorties from Whiteman AFB and releasing more than 1.5 million pounds of munitions. The aircraft received full operational capability status in December 2003. On Feb. 1, 2009, the Air Force's newest command, Air Force Global Strike Command, assumed responsibility for the B-2 from Air Combat Command.

 

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Northrop Grumman Returns Restored B-2 Bomber to Active Duty
UNITED STATES - 22 MARCH 2010

"Spirit of Pennsylvania" is First B-2 to Receive Insignia of Global Strike Command

PALMDALE, Calif. | Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has returned to service with the U.S. Air Force a freshly painted, completely overhauled B-2 stealth bomber known as the "Spirit of Pennsylvania."

The aircraft lifted off from Air Force Plant 42 here early in the morning on Jan. 26 for its return flight to Whiteman Air Force Base, operational home of the Air Force's 509th Bomb Wing and the nation's fleet of B-2s.

"The Spirit of Pennsylvania is the latest B-2 to complete a comprehensive overhaul process called programmed depot maintenance (PDM) that we perform in Palmdale on every B-2 every seven years," said Dave Mazur, vice president of long range strike and B-2 program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "We've put this national asset back into its optimal form to serve the strategic needs of the country."

The Spirit of Pennsylvania is the first B-2 to be painted with the insignia of the newly formed Global Strike Command, added Mazur. It was also featured in an early 2009 Sports Illustrated photo showing a B-2 flyover of the Rose Bowl football game in Pasadena.

Northrop Grumman is the Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2, the flagship of the nation's long range strike arsenal and the only combat-proven stealth aircraft in the current inventory. Global Strike Command assumed full operational control of the B-2 fleet on Feb 1.

According to Mazur, the programmed depot maintenance process takes approximately 13 months. It includes a complete restoration of the bomber's composite airframe to a "like-new" condition, plus inspections, service and flight testing of all of the aircraft's major mechanical and electrical systems. To date, every B-2 has completed at least one PDM cycle.

The current B-2 fleet comprises 20 aircraft: 19 operational assets plus one flight test aircraft based at Edwards AFB, Calif. that's used to validate software and weapon systems upgrades.

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is one of the most survivable aircraft in the world. It is the only aircraft that combines long range, large payload and precision weapons in a single platform, giving it the ability to penetrate deeply into enemy airspace and hold at risk an enemy's most valued assets. It can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours.





Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

[Evil Flare]

Such a Sexy & Classy Bomber ....

 

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Northrop Grumman Completes System Development, Demo Phase of B-2 Radar Modernization Program
UNITED STATES - 13 APRIL 2010

Milestone Adds Confidence for Installing New Radar in Entire Bomber Fleet

PALMDALE, Calif. | Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has helped the U.S. Air Force improve the mission availability of its fleet of B-2 stealth bombers by successfully completing the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the B-2 Radar Modernization Program (RMP).

SDD includes the design, development, test and installation of the new radar system in a B-2 test aircraft plus several operational bombers. Installation of the new radar in this first group of B-2s was completed Nov. 30 at Whiteman AFB. Final spares were delivered March 22.

Northrop Grumman is the U.S. Air Force's prime contractor for the B-2, the flagship of the nation's long range strike arsenal.

"The completion of SDD adds momentum and confidence to our work equipping the B-2 fleet with the most modern radar technology," said Dave Mazur, vice president of long range strike and B-2 program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "The new radar allows the jet to perform the nation's most critical missions while giving it the technological foundation for enhanced capabilities in the future."

The Northrop Grumman-led B-2 industry team is currently producing the radar units authorized under the low rate initial production phase (LRIP) of the RMP program, which began in December 2008; and the full rate production phase, which began in November 2009. Installation of the LRIP radar units is expected to begin in mid 2010, with completion of all B-2 RMP radar installations expected to be complete in 2012.

The B-2 radar modernization program replaces the aircraft's original radar system with one that incorporates technology improvements that have occurred since the B-2 was originally designed in the early 1980s.

Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Calif., developed a significant portion of the new radar hardware under contract to Northrop Grumman. The units include a new advanced electronically scanned array antenna, a power supply and a modified receiver/exciter. Other key RMP subcontractors include Lockheed Martin Corporation, Owego, N.Y., and BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Greenlawn, N.Y.

The B-2 is the only U.S. aircraft that combines stealth, long range, large payload and precision weapons in a single platform. In concert with the Air Force's air superiority fleet, which provides airspace control, and the Air Force's tanker fleet, which enables global mobility, the B-2 helps ensure an effective U.S. response to threats anywhere in the world. It can fly more than 6,000 nautical miles unrefueled and more than 10,000 nautical miles with just one aerial refueling, giving it the ability to reach any point on the globe within hours.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

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B-52s head to Guam for continuous bomber presence rotation
UNITED STATES - 3 JUNE 2010

MINOT U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Several B-52H Stratofortresses and nearly 350 Airmen here left June 1 for Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on a six-month rotation deployment.

"The 5th Bomb Wing's role in (U.S. Pacific Command's) continuous bomber presence mission is vital to national security," said Col. Charles Patnaude, the 5th Operations Group commander. "Our mission is one of both deterrence and assurance."

The colonel said Minot AFB's Airmen will be there to deter and dissuade potential regional aggressors from taking any provoking actions and to assure our allies of our commitment to the Pacific region.

"This is a great mission for (Minot AFB's) B-52s because it enables us to demonstrate our broad range of capabilities," he said.

The 5th BW's two B-52 squadrons, the 23rd and 69th Bomb Squadrons, will share the six-month deployment. The 23rd BS will serve the first half of the deployment.

The mission on the island had Airmen's spirits high and eager to get underway.

"I know many of them are ecstatic about this deployment," Colonel Patnaude said. "The training environment is fantastic and basing out of Andersen (AFB) will offer up great opportunities. Our (members) will get to interact with folks from other weapon systems, other services and possibly other nations."

Colonel Patnaude said PACOM's continuous bomber presence mission has been ongoing since 2003 when 5th BW officials first established the operation.

"B-52s, B-1 (Lancers) and B-2 (Spirits) have each taken turns as a continuous sentinel for the Pacific theater," he added. "The 5th BW (Airmen have) been to Guam several times since 2003 and I suspect (5th BW Airmen) will continue deploying there until Pacific Command no longer needs us."

PACOM officials said they routinely evaluate the command's readiness and reposition forces as needed to ensure they maintain both the operational and support capabilities necessary to meet the obligations of national defense.

The bombers serve as a deterrent and stabilizing force and are in no way intended to be used in a provocative manner, officials said.

A B-52H Stratofortess takes off on its way to Andersen U.S. Air Force Base, Guam, as part of a deployment June 2, 2010, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. During the six-month deployment, nearly 350 Airmen and several B-52s will provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Three B-52H Stratofortesses take off on their way to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of a deployment June 2, 2010, at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. During the six-month deployment, nearly 350 Airmen and more than five B-52s will provide U.S. Pacific Command with a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

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SecAF impressed with Airmen, B-2
UNITED STATES - 9 JUNE 2010

WHITEMAN U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Airmen, and base and community leaders, and received a first-hand look at the B-2 Spirit mission during his visit here June 8.

"I've been looking forward to this for many years, wanting to see the B-2 at its home here at Whiteman," Secretary Donley said. "It's been a great visit, seeing some great examples of total force collaboration between the active and the Air Guard personnel here, operating side-by-side to support this aircraft.

"There is such a great sense of teamwork here and ingenuity that has kept this aircraft at a high state of readiness," Secretary Donley continued. "(The B-2) has undertaken lots of innovative modifications driven by Airmen with good ideas and implemented by Airmen with great skill at a good cost to the tax payers."

Secretary Donley was impressed with not only the quality of the Airmen, but also the aircraft.

"The aircraft has improved, even from the great capability that it provided when it was first fielded," Secretary Donley said. "It has continued to evolve over the years and remains a cutting-edge capability for our Air Force and the nation."

Secretary Donley said he was pleased with Air Force Global Strike Command's growth thus far.

"The establishment of Global Strike was one of the most important decisions that General (Norton) Schwartz and I made when we first came into these leadership positions in 2008," he said. "We are very pleased with the results so far, and I know (Lt. Gen. Frank) Klotz is very pleased with the integration of the bomber and missile forces that he has brought together in Global Strike Command.

"We are on the right path, and we are looking forward to continuing to gain the benefits of this focus on the nuclear mission as we go forward," he concluded.

 

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Command's first-ever Global Strike Challenge under way
UNITED STATES - 6 JULY 2010

BARKSDALE U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Intercontinental ballistic missile, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer units are competing in the first Global Strike Challenge, showcasing the capabilities and expertise of missile, bomber and security forces Airmen.

"Global Strike Challenge will help us build pride and a culture of excellence," said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the Air Force Global Strike Command commander.

It is "the beginning of a new tradition-- the best of the past launching us into the future," he said.

Global Strike Challenge pits units' top security forces, maintainers, and missile and bomber crews in head-to-head competition to be recognized as the best of the best.

As many as 400 Airmen are competing, including Airmen from Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command and the Air Reserve Component.

Global Strike Challenge is a combination of the best of what used to be known as "bomb comp" and the best of the former "missile comp," officials said.

"As our premier crews train with great intensity for this competition, they are at the same time becoming unrivaled technical and weapons systems experts in their given disciplines," the general said. "The knowledge that each Airman gains while preparing for Global Strike Challenge will raise the bar at his or her unit and base, and ultimately strengthen the Air Force nuclear enterprise for years to come."

As part of the competition, competitors will come to the Shreveport-Bossier City area in November for a strategic deterrence and global strike technology symposium, the security forces portion of the competition and official score-posting ceremonies.

"The symposium will give us a chance to gather together and exchange lessons learned through combat experience," said Lt. Col. Michael Petrosh, the Global Strike Challenge lead project officer. "This type of cooperation allows us to use this knowledge in future decisions during real-world operations, which is the ultimate benefit of competitions like Global Strike Challenge."

The first scored event started April 12 with a bomb load competition at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., hosted by the 5th Bomb Wing's maintenance group.

"This gives our Airmen an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a huge audience," said Chief Master Sgt. Dan North, the 5th Maintenance Group superintendent.

The 5th Bomb Wing is competing against the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, Texas, the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, S.D., and the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo.

AFRC's 917th Wing at Barksdale AFB and the Missouri Air National Guard's 131st Bomb Wing are also participating in the bomb competition.

Also invited to compete are B-1 Lancer teams from Ellsworth AFB and its operations support, weapons school, and weapons test squadrons, officials said.

The missile competition, starting at the end of August, will involve the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB and the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB, Mont.

The security forces competition is scheduled to begin Nov. 13 at Barksdale AFB.

Official score-posting will be at Barksdale AFB Nov. 15 through 18, in conjunction with the Global Strike Challenge technology symposium.

Senior Airman Joshua Price (Left) and Staff Sgt. Darrell Rinde help build two training bombs during Global Strike Challenge, June 9, 2010, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The 28th Bomb Wing is one of seven bomb wings to participate in Air Force Global Strike Command's first load competition. Airman Price and Sergeant Rinde are 28th Munitions Squadron bomb build team members.

Load crew members attach fins to conventional bombs April 13, 2010, in a load crew competition at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. The 5th Bomb Wing joined six other bomb wings in Air Force Global Strike Command's first load competition here April 13 through 14. The evaluation was based not only on the Airmen's hands-on skills, but also on their knowledge in their respective career fields.

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

B-2 high altitude/stealth is ineffective against Russia

 

[gambit]

B-2 high altitude/stealth is ineffective against Russia

How? Meaning we want to see the mechanics of why not.

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

How? Meaning we want to see the mechanics of why not.

They shot down U-2 spy plane few decades ago....you prolly remember this. Plus the F-117 that was shot down in Kosovo its almost guranteed the KBG got ahold of of its skin.

1960 U-2 incident - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[gambit]

They shot down U-2 spy plane few decades ago....you prolly remember this. Plus the F-117 that was shot down in Kosovo its almost guranteed the KBG got ahold of of its skin.

1960 U-2 incident - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The U-2 was not considered a 'stealth' aircraft. As for the F-117 shot down over Yugoslavia, please look up past discussions about it and how it was explained. Essentially, it was plain old luck. Try again and harder.

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

The U-2 was not considered a 'stealth' aircraft. As for the F-117 shot down over Yugoslavia, please look up past discussions about it and how it was explained. Essentially, it was plain old luck. Try again and harder.

U-2 max altitude is ~70,000 feet.

B-2 max altitude is ~50,000 feet.

Radar signature of B-2 in stealth mode at ~50,000 feet is equivalent to U-2 at ~70,000 feet.

I understand the bomb doors on the F-117 opened which is how it got shot down. But you decided to come up with a reply which evaded my posting of how the KGB most likely got ahold of its skin.

 

[gambit]

U-2 max altitude is ~70,000 feet.

B-2 max altitude is ~50,000 feet.

Radar signature of B-2 in stealth mode at ~50,000 feet is equivalent to U-2 at ~70,000 feet.

Being low radar observable is not a 'mode' that can be manipulated at will. As for your claim, please provide a source.

I understand the bomb doors on the F-117 opened which is how it got shot down.

You understood wrong. We have no details from Zoltan Dani as to what he did what he claimed. The best he could say was...

USATODAY.com - Serb discusses 1999 downing of stealth

It involved "electromagnetic waves," was all that Dani — who now owns a small bakery in this sleepy village just north of Belgrade — would divulge.

Wow...How illuminating. Music radio and television also involve 'electromagnetic waves'.

But you decided to come up with a reply which evaded my posting of how the KGB most likely got ahold of its skin.

You mean the radar absorber? Give me a break. RAM is only one component of making the F-117 radar low observable, and not even a major component. Without RAM, the F-117's faceting would still make the aircraft extremely difficult to detect.