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B-2 Spirit stealth bombers operating out of RAAF Base Amberley have concluded their US Air Force Bomber Task Force mission.
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The strategic bomber aircraft from 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron were part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Program during August and September.
B-2 bombers worked closely with RAAF air assets to enhance interoperability and bolster the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The aircraft’s low-observable or “stealth” characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate sophisticated air defence and operate against valued targets.
Its low observability provides it with greater freedom of action at high altitudes, thus increasing its range and a better field of view for the aircraft sensors. Its unfuelled range is about 9,600 kilometres, but through air-to-air refuelling, it is capable of hitting any target anywhere in the world from its base in Missouri, US.
While deployed out of Amberley, the B-2s maintained a high flying tempo.
The training missions had the aircraft covering vast distances throughout Australia and the Indo-Pacific region, including a “hot pitting” at Diego Garcia, a small island in the Indian Ocean.
Hot pitting is an agile refuelling method allowing an aircraft to land, refuel and take off without shutting its engines down, spending the shortest time possible on the ground.
Exercises with RAAF were the centrepiece of the Bomber Task Force and missions involved the B-2s working in the air with a bevy of RAAF assets, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, F-35A Lightning IIs, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports, E-7A Wedgetails and P-8A Poseidons.
Group Captain Paul Jarvis, Officer Commanding 82 Wing, which hosted the Bomber Task Force, said enhancing interoperability and building teamwork was the key.
“Working in smaller packages, like we are here, and focusing on the detail,” GPCAPT Jarvis said.
“Just ironing out little hiccups while we’re happily in peacetime, and we have enough time to brief, execute, debrief, roll the lessons into a couple of days later and do it again and prove that the fix that we identified worked.
“That’s really, really important training.”
Commander 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Lieutenant Colonel Justin Meyer said their mission was to maintain ready and postured forces that are prepared to support their commander’s objectives.
“Our bombers integrated with US and allied forces to demonstrate the strength and interoperability of our joint and combined arms teams in the Indo-Pacific theatre,” Lt Col Meyer said.
“I would like to thank the RAAF, the local community and Australia for the tremendous hospitality they have provided my team since the moment we landed.”
As always, the success of this Bomber Task Force deployment relied on smooth and efficient combat support, provided in this instance by No. 23 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley.
Commanding Officer 23 Squadron Wing Commander Tanya Evans said the unit provided a number of base services to the Bomber Task Force throughout its deployment.
“This included aviation refuelling, provision of aviation rescue and firefighting services and aircraft security, through to domestic accommodation, meals and physical training facilities – we greatly welcomed the opportunity to support our USAF friends,” WGCDR Evans said.
The overall success of the deployment stands as a testament to the strong friendship, nurtured and shared, between the RAAF and USAF.
The two forces are evolving together from a state of interoperability towards one of interchangeability fostered by shared objectives, backed by tradition and familiarity after decades of training together.
