Andersen Air Force Base, Guam -- As the B-1B Lancer aircraft soars through the skies, enabling the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron (EBS) aircrew to conduct missions in the Indo-Pacific region during a Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, there’s one big reason for their success: maintenance.
Maintenance Airmen work around the clock to ensure the aircrew can continuously conduct operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region during the deployment.
“This is a great opportunity for our maintainers because it gives them the chance to serve in a different operating environment while being able to directly support the dynamic force employment concept laid out in the National Defense Strategy,” said the maintenance officer in-charge with the 9th EBS. “Operating within the Indo-Pacific reassures our commitment to our allies in this region.”
Dynamic Force Employment provides a persistent, long-term bomber presence in the Indo-Pacific region and around the globe. It also provides flexibility, agility and a responsive bomber presence while supporting strategic bomber force combat readiness.
During the BTF, Dyess Airmen will conduct training missions alongside their fellow Airmen within the Indo-Pacific and work with their counterparts from allied and partner nations within the region.
“Being here is important because it provides the bomber presence needed to maintain our commitment to deterrence, offers assurance to our allies, and strengthens regional security and stability in this region,” said an offensive avionics system lead with the 9th EBS. “Our time here allows us to gain experience at a deployed location while improving our job proficiency and knowledge of our respective jobs.”
The maintainers will conduct maintenance work daily that includes diagnosing malfunctions, replacing components, engine maintenance, egress inspections and other detailed inspections to ensure the aircraft is mission ready.
“Maintenance ensures the success of the BTF missions by utilizing our systems knowledge and skills to efficiently solve any reported discrepancy in a timely manner,” said an offensive avionics system lead with the 9th EBS. “Our work is imperative because it dictates whether or not we will have a safe and reliable aircraft for the aircrew to effectively complete their mission at hand.”
While maintenance Airmen stay on the ground, their constant effort to keep the bomber aircraft operating demonstrates their steadfast abilities to ensure pilots and weapon system officers can successfully complete any mission that may arise.
“We are the anchor to the BTF operations,” said the maintenance officer in-charge with the 9th EBS. “Our job is to get the aircraft ready for any mission that may arise during this deployment to showcase our commitment to our allies and partners this region.”
Approximately 200 Airmen and four B-1B Lancer aircraft with the 9th EBS from Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, to conduct BTF missions in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with allies, partners and joint forces, Oct. 20, 2020.