13th EBS completes first Polar Lightning exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ryan Whitney
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Airmen deployed here recently completed the first Polar Lightning exercise of their deployment.

Four B-2 Spirits and Airmen from the 13th EBS are deployed here from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., as part of a regularly scheduled Air Expeditionary Force rotation of bombers that has been underway since 2003, showcasing U.S. commitment to peace and stability throughout the Pacific region.

This is the first Polar Lightning exercise the 13th EBS has participated in since their arrival in late February. During Polar Lightning, the aircrews' endurance was tested by a 24-hour mission to Alaska and back, totaling more than 8,000 miles per aircraft.

"Most missions for bombers are long-duration flights like what we did during Polar Lightning," said Maj. Beth Makros, 13th EBS assistant director of operations and mission planner for this exercise. "It is important that we practice like we play, and Polar Lightning provides a great opportunity for our aircrew to get some long endurance experience."

During the exercise, a B-2 Spirit aircrew flew for 11 hours to Alaska. After it arrived at the Alaskan Range, the stealth-bomber dropped more than 6,000 pounds of ordnance during two hours of range time, then returned to Andersen.

Although the stealth-bomber was originally scheduled to participate with F-22 Raptors, E-3 Sentry (AWACS) and F-16 Fighting Falcon Aggressors from Elmendorf and Eielson AFB's, the B-2 aircrews were still able to gain valuable training after inclement weather in Alaska prevented the other airframes from integrating with the B-2s.

"The training that the aircrew got was invaluable, and even though some of the players were unable to participate due to weather, we developed strong contacts with the other units for future Polar Lightning exercises," said Major Makros.

Polar Lightning is a frequent exercise, taking place approximately once a month. Although this is the first time that aircrews have participated during this deployment, they fly in it regularly from their homestation.

In order to fly such a long duration mission, many preparations must be made. From eating the right diet, to lining up tanker aircraft support, to a good night's rest, preparation is key to a successful mission, said the major.

The support that the 434th Air Refueling Squadron, deployed here from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., has been vital to the missions the 13th EBS has completed so far.
"The tanker support here has been phenomenal. For this exercise, we had to refuel three times before the mission was over, and to ensure our success, not only did they have a tanker escort us to Alaska, but they pre-staged tankers at Alaska to get us back home as well," said Major Makros.

Another important player in the exercise was the flight doctor, who monitored the pilots' sleep schedule and diet to make sure their level of alertness was as high as it could be during the stressful situation.

The mission also had to be scheduled so that when they arrived in Alaska, the time of day was accurate so that the ability of the stealth bomber was at its peak.

Although all the coordination and preparation was a lot of hard work, in the end it was worth the effort, according to the major. 

"The experience that the crew gained from the exercise and taking off from a new location was completely irreplaceable, and without help from various players, it wouldn't have been possible," she said.