Air Force Surges “Bomber Task Force” Attack Training in Pacific

Video: Networked Army Radar Destroys 2 Maneuvering Cruise Missiles

byKris Osborn– Warrior Maven

The U.S. Air Force is refining its bomber attack preparations by moving to a more “dynamic” operational and training deployment level throughout the Pacific theater to emphasize warfare “readiness” and deter potential adversaries. 

“We are sustaining a surge in bomber operations, vital to demonstrating peace and stability. We need to keep our adversaries off balance. We have to persistently refine our operating concepts and develop new technologies,” Major General Mark E. Weatherington, Commander, Eighth Air Force, and Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, told The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies in a video interview. 

The thrust of the effort, Weatherington explained, involves not only increasing the number and frequency of Bomb Task Force (BTF) missions but also embracing a less “static,” more active and integrated war-preparation and deterrence posture. 

“We have a service level responsibility to train and prepare and build readiness, respond to emerging crises,” Weatherington said. 

The higher op-tempo of BFTs is also designed to increase integration within and across a wide-range of combat platforms, including multi-aircraft exercises, air-ground coordination and networked targeting exercises. This also includes more joint operations, training with allies and targeting practice with ground-based Joint Tactical Air Controllers. In addition to basing certain amounts of aircraft such as B-2s, B-52s, and drones in various strategically vital locations across the Pacific, the Air Force’s adjusted strategy is aimed at massively increasing warfare “readiness.”