Tag: Guam

Three B-2 Spirit Bombers & 200 Airmen Deployed to Guam

Photo: A B-2 Spirit bomber flies across an open stretch of sky. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Gary Ell)

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A 509th Bomb Wing crew chief waits to marshall a B-2 spirit to the @WhitemanAirForceBase runway Oct. 28, 2017.  (U.S. Air Force Photo by A1C Taylor Phifer)

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B-2 Spirit Fact Sheet

Mission

The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses.

Features

A B-2 Spirit lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on Sunday, April 30, 2006. B-2s are replacing the B-1B Lancers at Andersen as part of the continuous bomber rotation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael S. Dorus)

The B-2 provides the penetrating flexibility and effectiveness inherent in manned bombers. Its low-observable, or “stealth,” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy’s most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued, and heavily defended, targets. Its capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong, effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century.

The revolutionary blending of low-observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency and large payload gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Its low-observability provides it greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field of view for the aircraft’s sensors. Its unrefueled range is approximately 6,000 nautical miles (9,600 kilometers.

FILE PHOTO — The B-2 Spirit approaches the boom of a McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey KC-10A Extender during a Capstone orientation flight. Capstone is a Joint Airborne/Air Transportability Training mission providing interservice training for the wartime application of airlift. Through Capstone, senior level officers are able to observe the significance of airlift and its role in all military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott H. Spitzer)

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 the 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-2 has a crew of two pilots, a pilot in the left seat and mission commander in the right, compared to the B-1B’s crew of four and the B-52’s crew of five.

Background

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, California. Its first flight was July 17, 1989. The B-2 Combined Test Force, Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California, is responsible for flight testing the engineering, manufacturing and development aircraft on the B-2.

Whiteman AFB, Missouri, is the only operational base for the B-2. The first aircraft, 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.

OPERATION ALLIED FORCE — A B-2 Spirit bomber prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a mission in the European theater supporting NATO Operation Allied Force. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower to bear, in a short time, anywhere on the globe through previously impenetrable defenses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Bergmann)

General characteristics

Primary function: multi-role heavy bomber

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp. and Contractor Team: Boeing Military Airplanes Co., Hughes Radar Systems Group, General Electric Aircraft Engine Group and Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.

Power plant: four General Electric F118-GE-100 engines

Thrust: 17,300 pounds each engine

Wingspan: 172 feet (52.12 meters)

Length: 69 feet (20.9 meters)

Height: 17 feet (5.1 meters)

Weight: 160,000 pounds (72,575 kilograms)

Maximum takeoff weight: 336,500 pounds (152,634 kilograms)

Fuel capacity: 167,000 pounds (75750 kilograms)

Payload: 40,000 pounds (18,144 kilograms)

Speed: high subsonic

Range: intercontinental

Ceiling: 50,000 feet (15,240 meters)

Armament: conventional or nuclear weapons

Crew: two pilots

Unit cost: Approximately $1.157 billion (fiscal 1998 constant dollars)

Initial operating capability: April 1997

Inventory: active force: 20 (1 test); ANG: 0; Reserve: 0

(Current as of December 2015)

Dennis Rodman’s Multi Country Asia Tour on Peace Mission: Basketball Diplomacy

Amid nuclear threats, PotCoin sends Dennis Rodman back in an attempt to broker peace

NYC, NY – 12/06/17 – Hall of Famer and former NBA bad-boy Dennis Rodman embarked on a multi-stop trip in Asia-Pacific on Wednesday, December 6th, 2017, once again backed by the community-based cryptocurrency for legalized marijuana – PotCoin.

Rodman’s initial stop was in the US Territory of Guam, recently cited in the news as a potential target by North Korea. According to a recent publication, the Guam Visitors Bureau confirms that due to the growing political tension between the US and North Korea, tourism from almost every market except South Korea has been on a downward trend, the biggest being Japan. After North Korea’s threats of a nuclear attack, 7,556 flights were cancelled to Guam, resulting in a $9.5 million loss for the territory.

The initial leg of his trip will see Dennis Rodman meeting with military personnel, families and locals in an effort to show support for the territory with the hope of boosting the economy by proving its safety.

 

PotCoin has received numerous requests through social media and its website asking for renewed support to send Rodman in hopes of bringing peace. Rodman is in the very rare position to be able to claim long-time friendships with both the Supreme Leader of North Korea, as well as with the current President of the United States.

 

“I’m very appreciative of PotCoin once again believing in my mission through basketball diplomacy of peace and love, not war. Together we’re hoping to create real change in the world,” said Rodman.

For more information on how to use or trade PotCoin, please visit www.PotCoin.com.

Operation Christmas Drop Delivers Supplies, Toys to Remote Islanders

Photo: Military and civilian leaders push a box onto a C-130 Hercules during the 2016 Operation Christmas Drop Push Ceremony Dec. 6, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. This year the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force and U.S. Air Force work together to continue the tradition of air dropping tools, food, clothing and toys throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Jacob Skovo)

Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

Operation Christmas Drop is the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift operation. The tradition began during the Christmas season in 1952 when a B-29 Superfortress aircrew saw islanders waving at them from the island of Kapingamarangi, 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. In the spirit of Christmas the aircrew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute to the islanders below, giving the operation its name. Today, air drop operations include more than 50 islands throughout the Pacific.

Operation Christmas Drop is a PACAF event which includes a partnership between the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan; the 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; 734th Air Mobility Squadron, Andersen AFB of the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; the University of Guam; and the ‘Operation Christmas Drop’ private organization which leads the fundraising and donations for the operation. Andersen is used as a “base camp” to airlift the donated goods to islanders throughout Micronesia.

Utilizing the Denton Program, which allows private U.S. citizens and organizations to use space available on U.S. military cargo planes to transport humanitarian goods to countries in need, the C-130J Super Hercules crews airdrop food, supplies, educational materials, and toys to islanders throughout the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau. These islands are some of the most remote locations on the globe spanning a distance nearly as broad as the continental US.

Operation Christmas Drop volunteers pack boxes Dec. 3, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Over 200 volunteers packed clothes, rice, fish hooks, school supplies and more to be dropped over 50 islands throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Alexa Henderson/Released)

Operation Christmas Drop volunteers pack boxes Dec. 3, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Over 200 volunteers packed clothes, rice, fish hooks, school supplies and more to be dropped over 50 islands throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Alexa Henderson/Released)

Months leading up the drop dates volunteers create donation drop-off boxes and raise money from local businesses and citizens. A week before the drop, volunteer Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, civilians, contractors and families assist in picking up and sorting the donations. After the goods are sorted, riggers from Yokota and Andersen volunteers build dozens of boxes to hold the materials, most containing school supplies, clothing, rice, fishing equipment and toys.

Each year, the Christmas drops serve as a proving ground for the techniques used and shared with regional partners in preparation for response to natural disasters all too common across this region.

Air crews are linked to the village via ham radio as they fly overhead and drop supplies. The event provides readiness training to participating aircrew, allowing them to gain experience in conducting airdrops while providing critical supplies to 56 Micronesian islands impacting about 20,000 people; ultimately it’s a profound win for everyone involved.

Low Coast Low Altitude (LCLA) airdrop is incredibly cost-efficient and easy to apply across the global airlift community, utilizing readily available resources and repurposed personnel parachutes to build supply pallets at a fraction of the cost of other airdrop bundles. These pallets are dropped at low altitude to improve drop accuracy.