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Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WATCH: Air Force demonstration over Miami Beach
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — Air Force fighter and bomber jets took to the skies over Miami Beach in the ninth annual Hyundai Air & Sea Show. The event took place on May 24 and May 25 and brought together all six branches of the military for choreographed demonstrations. The formation in the video was showcased the Air Force Global Strike Command and had never been seen before Saturday. The jets were led by the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and included a B-1B Lancer, B-52H Stratofortress, F-22 Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, and an A-10 Thunderbolt II. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
US Sends New Bombers to Frontline Air Base in West Pacific
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States appears to have rotated its bomber fleet to the Western Pacific Ocean by deploying aircraft to Guam, a strategic hub that serves as a staging area for projecting power. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Pacific Air Forces for further comment by email. Why It Matters The U.S. often deploys its bombers—consisting of the B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, and B-52H Stratofortress—at bases in the Indo-Pacific region for Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions, including Guam, its westernmost territory in the Pacific Ocean, a Newsweek map shows. Guam serves as the center of the Second Island Chain under the U.S. containment strategy, which seeks to keep adversaries' forces in check. The island also hosts Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps bases that sustain and maintain the American military presence in the region. What To Know The U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing—a B-52H Stratofortress bomber unit headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana—released a video on Saturday indicating that an unspecified number of bombers have been deployed to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The video shows a bomber undergoing maintenance and post-flight inspections at the air base on May 22, with its caption stating that BTF missions provide opportunities to train and work with U.S. allies and partners across different combatant command areas of operations. The B-52H bomber is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds of nuclear or conventional weapons and features "worldwide precision navigation capability." It has a stated range of 8,800 miles and a top speed of 650 miles per hour, according to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet. This marked the third BTF deployment in the Western Pacific Ocean this year, according to the map created by Newsweek. The last mission saw four B-1B bombers deploy to Misawa Air Base in Japan in mid-April, returning to the U.S. in two flights on May 9 and May 12. A United States Air Force B-52H bomber arrives at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam after completing a Bomber Task Force mission on April 29, 2024. A United States Air Force B-52H bomber arrives at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam after completing a Bomber Task Force mission on April 29, 2024. Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers Jr./U.S. Air Force The map also shows that Andersen Air Force Base hosted another BTF deployment from mid-January to early March, involving a separate group of four B-1B bombers. These bombers are not nuclear-capable and carry up to 75,000 pounds of conventional weapons. It was not clear how long the B-52H bombers will be deployed in Guam. The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, responsible for America's bomber force, previously told Newsweek that it is ready to conduct BTF missions "anyplace, anytime, and for any duration required." What People Are Saying The U.S. Air Force 2nd Bomb Wing said: "Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate the credibility of our forces to address a global security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than any other time in recent history." The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command previously told Newsweek: "Our command is committed to working with U.S. allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific; those allies and partners provide an asymmetric advantage that our adversaries can never hope to match." The U.S. Pacific Air Forces previously told Newsweek: "The U.S. Air Force routinely deploys a variety of aircraft and units throughout the Indo-Pacific area of operations in support of geographic combatant command objectives and training." What Happens Next It remains to be seen when the Guam-based B-52H bombers will execute their first mission since arriving on the Western Pacific island, where tensions remain high in the South China Sea, across the Taiwan Strait, and on the Korean Peninsula.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Historic ‘Freedom Flyover' airshow includes nearly every Air Force fighter and bomber jet
A breathtaking flyover of nearly every United States Air Force fighter and bomber jet soared during a Florida air show Saturday, stunning footage of the historic aerial display showed. Seven of the top military aircraft called the 'Freedom Flyover' united as 'one unstoppable force' for thousands of people to take in over Memorial Day weekend at the Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami Beach. The historic formation was led by the B-2 stealth bomber and followed by the B-1B Lancer, B-52H Stratofortress, F-22 Raptor, F-15C Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon and the attack aircraft A-10 Thunderbolt II, according to Air Force Global Strike Command. Advertisement 3 The flyover featured seven Air Force aircraft. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The only bomber missing was B-31 Raider, while the lone absent fighter jet was the F-35A Lightning II. The AC-130J Ghostrider, the other attack aircraft in the Air Force's fleet, was also not included. While other air shows have featured a tri-bomber flyover, this was the first time fighter aircraft were also part of the formation, according to military officials. Advertisement 'This wasn't just an air show – it was a powerful tribute to those who gave everything and a celebration of the strength that defends our nation every single day!' the AFGSC wrote in a social media post. 3 The formation was historic, military officials said. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Video of the moment showed the seven aircraft in perfect formation rev through the sunny skies to a round of applause from the delighted crowd below. 3 The air show in Miami wowed the Memorial Day crowd. CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Advertisement More footage captured by a staff sergeant in a plane ahead of the formation gave an up-close glimpse of the flyover. The aircraft were manned by active-duty Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard pilots, 'representing the Air Force's ability to collaborate across components,' according to officials.
Korea Herald
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
N. Korea denounces US for deploying B-1B strategic bombers to Japan
North Korea on Friday denounced the United States for deploying B-1B strategic bombers to Japan, arguing that such deployment would pose a threat to security in the region. The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency published the criticism in an article, accusing Washington of stationing its bomber in Japan for a long-term period and escalating tensions in the region to a record high by using Japan and South Korea as outposts. On April 15, a US bomber task force, comprising B-1B Lancer aircraft, airmen and support equipment from the US Air Force's 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, arrived at Misawa Air Base, Japan, to reinforce regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, according to the Indo-Pacific Command. It marks the first time a US Air Force bomber task force has been deployed to Japan. The US has also deployed a B-1B bomber to South Korea three times so far this year, including during a South Korea-US exercise in mid-April. The B-1B Lancer is one of the three strategic US bombers, with the capacity to fly 12,000 kilometers non-stop at supersonic speeds and carry up to 57 tons of weapons. The KCNA accused the US of the long-term deployment and permanent stationing of its strategic assets deep within the Indo-Pacific, saying, "It clearly marks a threatening development to the regional security." "The Asia Pacific region is not a fragile area where the US can shift the balance at will using a few units of strategic combers," the KCNA said, warning the US would face "due backlash" from people in the region for its schemes. (Yonhap)
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
‘Da Bomb' Of Aircraft, The B-1 Rarely Takes Media Up. But It Took Us
B-1 bomber with Forbes writer Jim Clash aboard taxis out to participate in a supersonic training sortie, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 25, 2025. The B-1B Lancer is the only supersonic bomber still in service within the American military fleet. It has been a workhorse for the U.S. Air Force for nearly four decades. Nicknamed 'the bone,' the plane no longer carries nuclear weapons - the 1994 START treaty prevents that - but it is still highly lethal with a range, without refueling, of 7,500 miles. In fact, the B-1 can carry more ordnance than its venerable predecessor, the B-52. Forbes writer Jim Clash (oxygen mask) hypoxia training for a B-1 flight, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 24, 2024. With four General Electric F101-GE-102 turbofan engines, each producing more than 30,000 pounds of thrust, the B-1 is also a favorite at air shows. The guttural roar of takeoff, then the subsequent high-speed passes over the crowd, is unmistakable, and unforgettable. As with the U-2 spy plane, in which I rode to the edge of space last summer (link at end), the B-1 is difficult for civilians, including the media, to score a ride in. Reportedly, only one journalist has done it - from Newsweek - so I'm to be the second. To say I'm excited goes without saying, but, as with any high-performance aircraft, a little nervous, too. Forbes writer Jim Clash trains in a parachute harness in preparation for his B-1 bomber flight, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 24, 2025. My first day at Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas, home to two dozen of the remaining B-1s still active, included a mandatory medical exam followed by SERE immersive parachute and ejection seat training - plus suit, helmet and oxygen-mask fittings. While we would be flying over friendly territory, and a B-1 bailout is rare, as a precaution all riders (and pilots) must know what to do in case of an emergency. In 2024, a B-1 crashed upon landing at Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City, South Dakota. The quarter-billion-dollar aircraft was destroyed, but all crew onboard, thankfully, survived. Forbes writer Jim Clash boards a B-1 bomber, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 25, 2025. During our mission, conducted by Dyess' 9th Bomb Wing ('Death From Above'), I was to be one of four on the plane: pilot Lt Col Ryan 'Duke' Stillwell, Commander of the 9th; copilot Capt Jordan 'Offset' Dobranski; Capt Nicholas 'King' George, offensive weapons systems officer; and a defensive one (me). The two weapons guys' seats are located in a separate area behind the pilots' cockpit, so it's difficult to see much during takeoff because of the tiny windows back there. For such a large aircraft, like with the B-52, the B-1 is incredibly cramped. Most of the space is used to carry bombs and fuel. B-1 bomber carrying Forbes writer Jim Clash takes off with full afterburners from Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 25, 2025. After boarding the plane, code-named Dark 26, via steps underneath the fuselage, then strapping into our seats, the hatch was sealed and we took on more than 100,000 pounds of fuel. An emergency incident involving a potential brake fire in another B-1 delayed our sortie by a little over an hour. Once we did taxi out to the runway, the ejection seat was set to automatic for takeoff, meaning if one person initiated bailout, all four would go quickly and sequentially, the back crew first, then the front. USAF Lt Col Ryan 'Duke' Stillwell at the controls of a B-1 bomber high above Texas, March 25, 2025. Despite my obscured view, the takeoff got my attention. It's not as violent as the fighter jets I've flown in, but still intense. Those four GE engines at full thrust each blast out a 30-foot-long orange/blue flame and push you back into your seat with the force of a couple of Gs. Once airborne and above 10,000 feet, we put our ejection seats into the manual mode, and Stillwell let me unbuckle and swap places with Dobranski to watch the action from upfront. En route, Stillwell let me take the controls for a few minutes. For such a big plane, it was very responsive to stick and throttle inputs, and handled well. Forbes writer Jim Clash in a B-1 bomber over Texas, March 25, 2025. Upon reaching Pecos, New Mexico, we, along with our wingman B-1 Dark 27, unloaded smart bombs over targets, executing three separate rolls in the process. We only pulled 2.6 Gs on each roll, but it felt like a lot more. If you're wondering, there is usually a small bathroom on board. Crews can be in the air for more than 24 hours straight, so it comes in handy. We were in the air for only an hour and 45 minutes, so our B-1 didn't have that latrine, but we did have little piddle-paks. Bombing mission complete, it was back to Dyess. On the way, we went supersonic. For that, the variable sweep wings were pulled back for less air resistance, then we accelerated over a restricted area where supersonic flights are permitted. In populated areas, anything above Mach 1 is prohibited due to loud sonic booms. B-1 bomber's shadow just before landing at Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 25, 2025. Starting a dive at 17,000 feet, we maxed out at Mach 1.13 down at 14,000 feet, damn impressive for such a heavy beast. With full afterburners, we were burning fuel at a rate of more than 300,000 pounds per hour. Before landing back on terra firma, we did a quick touch-and-go to help train copilot Dobranski. Once we did land, I was pretty stoked. It was the eighth separate plane in which I had flown supersonic, probably a record for non-pilots. I'm going to submit it to Guinness World Records. Seems a lot more valid than some of the wacky stuff they certify these days. Forbes writer Jim Clash and the B-1 he just flew supersonic in, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas, March 25, 2025. What's next? Now that I've flown in two of the three iconic American bombers still active - the B-1 and B-52 - I'm eyeing the stealthy, bat-like B-2 Spirit and the inactive B-29. Of course there's the SR-71 Blackbird, no longer in service as far as the public has been told. Even if one of them were still flying, the chances of getting onboard are about the same as visiting verboten Area 51. Editor's Note: This is Part 1 of a series about Dyess AFB and the B-1. More installments are forthcoming shortly.
