B-2s train with JTACs, drop bombs on training range

Published: Wed Oct 31st, 2007
Source: www.pacaf.af.mil

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber deployed here practiced weapons drops in the Pohakuloa Training Area on the big island of Hawaii Oct. 23.

But these bombing runs were a little different than the aviators simply using the Spirit's state of the art targeting system to slam the ordnance right where they wanted it.

This time, the fliers were conducting operations with some joint terminal attack controllers on the ground. The B-2 deployment allowed these specially trained Airmen to hone their skills in operating with a bomber platform.

They say the difference in what the B-2 brings to the battlefield is dramatic.
"Strategic bombers in and of themselves are huge force multipliers," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Setlock, a JTAC from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron. "Fighter
attack aircraft can stay on station for 45-minutes and provide six to eight bombs. We can have a bomber overhead for two to four hours and provide four times the firepower that a fighter attack aircraft would. It's huge."

The global reach and long loiter time over a target is a unique capability of America's bomber force. This makes the B-2 especially lethal for America's enemies.

"Our aerial refueling capability means we're only limited by the human factor of aircrew fatigue," said Col. Damian McCarthy, 36th Operations Group commander. "Having the ability to stay over a target for extended periods, especially in a stealth airframe, gives the combatant commander the option to strike the bad guys at a time and place of their choosing."
This capability can be put to good use by the Airmen on the ground.

"(Bombers) provide so much more firepower," Sergeant Setlock explained. "They can strike several targets at one time, where a fighter attack aircraft, were basically doing one at a time. With accurate coordinates pulled up by a JTAC, we can hit up to fourteen targets at once."

For this series of exercises, the B-2s were dropping 2000-lb bombs on targets in the training area. They did it the old fashioned way too. No laser designating the target and no joint direct attack munitions with global positioning system guidance. It was just the aviators, their instruments, a deadly airframe and some Airmen on the mock battlefield calling in the coordinates.

They said the B-2 delivered.
"This is the first time I've worked with the B-2, and I was actually kind of amazed by the accuracy, considering we weren't using precision weapons," Sergeant Setlock said.

B-2s train with JTACs, drop bombs on training range (2)

The B-2 deployment to Guam demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. to regional and global security. Alaska, Hawaii and Guam create a strategic triangle in this area of the world and allows the Air Force to project its capabilities from U.S. soil.
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B-2s train with JTACs, drop bombs on training range

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