JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii — More than 200 Airmen and four B-52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam June 14 in order to conduct Bomber Task Force—or BTF—missions.

BTF deployments and operations support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s missions by integrating strategic bomber capabilities in a joint and coalition environment.

“Being here in the Indo-Pacific with the Bomber Task Force allows our forces to showcase our ability to deploy anytime, anywhere in support of the combatant commander’s objectives,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Loucks, BTF commander. “Training and operating in the priority theater allows us to demonstrate our continued readiness, willingness and commitment to our Allies and partners.”

The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, nuclear and conventional heavy bomber which can perform a variety of missions. The B-52H can fly at high, subsonic speeds at altitudes reaching 50,000 feet, with an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles, and can carry precision-guided ordnance with worldwide precision navigation.

The U.S. maintains a strong, credible strategic bomber force that enhances the security and stability of Allies and partners. BTF missions enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, and validate our always-ready, global strike capability.