Crews from Ellsworth Air Force Base completed training missions in the Indo-Pacific region last week.
The 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flew over 300 flight hours. A press release described the mission as an exercise in "deterrence" — a show of force to deter potential enemies.
Lt. Col. Ross Hobbs, the squadron’s commander, said the training supports the Air Force’s ability to operate without a traditional base. It emphasizes adaptability and training personnel in multiple jobs.
The exercises occurred within the Indo-Pacific Command, an administrative area of responsibility that includes China and North Korea.
Crews from Ellsworth conducted exercises with Japan’s Air Self Defense Force. They also performed hot-pit refueling with the Royal Australian Air Force, a process in which planes are refueled immediately after landing, with one engine on. It was the first time a hot-pit refueling has been completed with B-1B Lancer bombers.
“This deployment was an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the B-1’s capabilities,” said Capt. Joel Hoyer, a weapons systems officer in the squadron. “It’s been great to see all the training that we’ve accomplished at Ellsworth be applied to actual operations abroad.”
F-35 fighter planes from Alaska’s Eielson Air Force Base are performing exercises in South Korea this week. North Korea has performed numerous nuclear and short-range missile tests in the region.
