The B-1B bomber, commonly called “Bone,” has dropped more bombs than any other aircraft since the global war on terror began, says Lt. Col. Michael Eliason, director of operations for 9th Bomb Squadron at Dyess AFB, Tex. “We’ve become an exceptional close air support asset and are often the weapon of choice because of our loiter capability and payload,” asserts Eliason. The Bone, which holds 100 world records for speed, payload and distance, can carry more weapons—guided or unguided—and can fly low level or high altitude at 900 plus miles per hour.
Air & Space Forces Magazine traveled the the globe in 2024 to cover the biggest stories involving the U.S. Air Force and Space Force, from Ukraine to the Middle East, from Florida to California. Between regional conflicts in Europe and...