Global Strike bombers complete their deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson
  • 2nd Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
RAF FAIRFORD, United Kingdom --  U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen flew to RAF Fairford, United Kingdom as part of a mission to train and integrate with U.S. and allied military forces in the U.S. European Command region.

Along with them came three B-52 Stratofortesses and two B-2 Spirits. All five bombers departed the EUCOM area of responsibility, following the completion of their deployment.
This mission was made successful by not only aircrew, but also supporting units who worked tirelessly to ensure the mission was a success.

"The B-2 was here to conduct training exercises so we can have our pilots ready to work in this area of operations," said Lt. Col. Bradley Cochran, 393rd Bomb Squadron commander, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. "We are world-wide deployable, so we can go anywhere on the planet. Training opportunities like this one are invaluable to us because they get us familiar with the command and control structure, the air traffic control structure and different procedures that are in the area of operations."

B-2 crews also flew a long duration sortie for more than 20 hours into the EUCOM and U.S. Africa Command areas of operation, Cochran said.

"The B-2 provides stealth, long range precision-guided weapons and a huge payload," Cochran said. "With those combined, we trained for that to be able to strike those long-range deter and assure missions that we are tasked to do."

Maintainers crank up the torque

Global Strike's aircraft would not have been able to lift off the without proper maintenance. Maintainers from the 509th, 2nd and 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons provided routine, pre-flight and post-flight maintenance to keep the mission going.

"We're here working 24-hour operations to ensure that aircraft are ready to fly," said Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Bartalini, 2nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "We have three aircraft here and we're flying two aircraft a day, so you can imagine that there are a lot of maintenance actions that take place on a 60 year old, huge aircraft."

Maintainers worked through both day and night shifts to ensure B-52 crews were able to complete all sorties, 100 percent on time, Bartalini said.

"We've also enjoyed England," Bartalini said. "The training that they're getting is not something that they'll be able to do at home, except for maybe Red Flag. They get to see a different region and practice with one of our top allies."

Defenders protect resources

While maintainers worked around the clock to allow aircrews to fly sorties, security forces Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base and Whiteman also played a critical role, according to Tech. Sgt. Nicholous Banks, 2nd Security Forces Squadron flight chief, deployed from Barksdale.

"We were the first line of defense from any potential source of aggression," Banks said.
Along with securing the gates and patrolling the base, defenders ensured safety for more than 400 Airmen and civilians on base.

"We also ensured that resources were secured throughout the entire time, without mishaps," Banks said. "We coordinated with the Ministry of Defense personnel and ensured 100 percent mission accomplishment throughout the entire time we were here."

Being able to integrate with allies was a unique opportunity for Airmen to gain experience on the expeditionary side of the Air Force, Banks said.

"It's one thing to say one thing and support allies abroad, but it's another when you work side by side with them," Banks said. "You develop a bond and a close relationship with them and it's very rewarding. Leaving this place is something that I know my personnel and I will miss."

AFE Airmen keep pilots safe

As security forces Airmen kept personnel and resources safe, aircrew flight equipment Airmen were responsible for keeping pilots safe during flight.

"If our gear isn't working, then aircrew members are not flying," said Master Sgt. Dennis Speicher, Aircrew Flight Equipment section chief, 509th Operations Support Squadron, from Whiteman. "They need to have full oxygen and communications."

If pilots have a communications and they can't speak to air traffic controllers, then they won't be able to go anywhere, Speicher said.

At all times, safety of aircrew members is the most important part of an AFE technician's job.

"Watching the birds take off, knowing you have a direct hand in what happens is a blast. I have fun every day," Speicher said.

Air Traffic Controllers keep a watchful eye

Keeping aircrew members safe was also the primary mission of air traffic controllers. Airmen from Whiteman and Barksdale collaborated to keep pilots safe - painting a clear picture of the airspace around them.

"My mission is to support the aircraft operations for whichever squadron may use the runway," said Staff Sgt. Steven Mohan, 2nd Operations Support Squadron watch supervisor.

While working in the tower, Mohan and his teammates have worked with a variety aircraft, including bomber, transient, fighter, commercial, heavy cargo, transport and distinguished visitors.

"We control anything that touches the runway," Mohan said. "We make sure they have a minimal delay for their arrival and departures so they meet their mission times. "

The procedures for controlling air traffic in England make their job slightly different to what ATC Airmen are accustomed to in the U.S.

"We have different coordination levels through the English air traffic versus the states," Mohan said. "Along with different procedures there is also different equipment to use."

Air traffic coordination in England takes most mostly between person to person, whereas the U.S. uses coordination that is automated through the Federal Aviation Administration.
Overall, Airmen are happy to get some experience controlling air traffic outside of the United States.

"Back at home station you normally have a couple of airframes that are assigned and you work those primarily," Mohan said. "The diversity of aircraft that we've worked with has been refreshing."

ATC Airmen would welcome the chance to come back to RAF Fairford for another deployment, if they had the opportunity, Mohan said.

"This is what my job exists for," Mohan said. "Home station is training for us to deploy, or wherever we may go worldwide. It's really good to get this kind of experience under our belt. It helps everything make more sense."

Fuels Airmen pump up the mission

As air traffic controllers kept the airspace safe, fuels Airmen ensured aircraft had enough gas to fly.

The 2nd and 509th Logistics Readiness Squadrons collaborated to keep the mission pumping with jet fuel for B-2 and B-52 sorties.

"We were instrumental in the success of this mission," said Master Sgt. Mark Smith, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels superintendent. "My Airmen also helped fuel a commercial Boeing 757 and C5 Galaxy transient Aircraft."

If it wasn't for the Airmen working in the fuel trucks, the jets wouldn't have been able to take off, according to Smith.

Overall, Airmen from Whiteman, Barksdale and Minot Air Force Bases all played a role in the mission to train and integrate with U.S. and allied military forces in the EUCOM region.