Aircraft retasked mid-mission for first time

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steven Wilson
  • 36th Operations Group Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed here with their B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., made history Dec. 18 when one jet in a two ship formation was diverted to another tasking during a global power sortie originally destined to Alaska.

The global power missions, which go longer than 20 hours, demonstrate the global strike capability of America's bomber force.

"The jets were launched with flight plans and mission materials for Alaska," said Lt. Col. John Vitacca, 393rd EBS commander. "However, in flight, one jet was re-tasked to Hawaii and was sent new target information to facilitate coordinated weapons releases with ground parties at Pohakuloa Training Range."

Both bombers later hit their intended targets near simultaneously. This was the first time in B-2 history a global power sortie was electronically redirected in-flight to attack a previously unplanned target area.

This ability to instantly adjust target sets is a cornerstone of America's airpower.

In the 1950s British Field Marshall Montgomery said, "The greatest asset of airpower is flexibility. The main factors in determining the degree of flexibility are the methods of command and control, the range of aircraft and the mobility of supporting equipment."

The technological advances in aircraft range coupled with the Air Force's expeditionary ability to deploy anywhere to support the flying mission allow for flexibility Field Marshall Montgomery could have only dreamed of more than 50 years ago.

"This tasking demonstrates how flexible our Airmen and aircraft are," said Col. Damian McCarthy, 36th Operations Group commander. "Our global strike capability can be adjusted mid-mission should the combatant commander deem it necessary. The strategic battlefield is in a constant state of flux and our adaptability makes our bomber force a very lethal platform."

The B-2 Spirit brings a combination of stealth, long range, large payload, and precision weaponry to the theater. This weapons system is fully mature and available for use on rotational deployments under the Air Force Expeditionary Force systems preserving peace and deterrence in the Western Pacific.