B-1B bombers from Ellsworth AFB, S.D.,—the base that narrowly escaped the BRAC ax—Monday began replacing B-2 Spirits at Andersen AB, Guam. The 120-day tour for the B-2 stealth bombers from Whiteman AFB, Mo., ended. Stateside bomber units have been staging out of Andersen to help maintain a strong US presence in the Pacific. Read here about USAF’s plan for a new strike force on Guam and here for the big picture on the Pacific region.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.