Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Newsroom

    Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineXU.S Airmen assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, pose with U.S. Sailors assigned to Navy Munitions Command, Pacific Unit, Guam, after an MK-62 Quickstrike Naval mine load in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 19, 2022. These missions provide an opportunity for the U.S. to train alongside Allies and partners to demonstrate interoperability and bolster the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineXA U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, prepares to land at Andersen AFB, Guam, in support of a Bomber Task Force mission, Oct. 24, 2022. Carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineXPublished Oct. 30, 2022
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone
                    
                    
                    Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
            **ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS)  --**

U.S. Air Force **B-1B Lancers** from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Wing, **Ellsworth Air Force Base**, South Dakota, integrated with U.S. Naval forces over the Indo-Pacific region to conduct a naval mine exercise (MineX) during a Bomber Task Force mission at **Andersen Air Force Base**, Oct. 24.

Bomber missions contribute to Joint Force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific region by demonstrating the Air Force’s ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the **National Defense Strategy**.

“MineX missions require close coordination and integration between the Navy and the Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Chris McConnell, 37th Bomb Squadron commander. “As one of the aircraft capable of releasing mines, we have to work with our Navy partners to understand where those munitions need to be placed to meet the desired objectives.”

A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device employed to destroy surface ships or submarines and provide a low-cost battlespace shaping and force protection capability. Mines may also be used to deny an enemy access to specific areas or channel them into specific areas.

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineXU.S Airmen assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and U.S. Sailors assigned to Navy Munitions Command, Pacific Unit, Guam, transport crates during a mine load in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 19, 2022. Bomber missions provide opportunities to train and work alongside Allies and partners in joint and coalition operations and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineXU.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jalen Thomas, 28th Munitions Squadron munitions support equipment maintenance crew chief assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, loads an MK-62 Quickstrike Naval mine onto an MHU-226 trailer in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 19. 2022. Mines provide a low-cost battle-space shaping and force protection capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineXU.S. Airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, prepare for a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 24, 2022. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command routinely and visibly demonstrates commitment to Allies and partners through the employment of military forces, demonstrating strategic predictability, while becoming more operationally unpredictable to adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res


Together, a team of 28th Munitions Squadron weapons loaders and Sailors from Navy Munitions Command, Pacific Unit, Guam, armed B-1B Lancers with 21 **Mark-62 Quickstrike mines**, weighing 500 pounds each.

“Executing a MineX during a Bomber Task Force mission strengthens those ties through necessary integration training across the services to everyone involved in the process,” McConnell said. “From the Navy personnel building and delivering the munitions, to our weapons loaders ensuring they are loaded on aircraft properly, the aircrew and planners will execute the mission and fly alongside our Navy partners and Allies.”

The 37th EBS conducts several joint force exercises during BTF missions to enhance readiness and interoperability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Navy 



37th EBS 



B-1B Lancers 



37th EBW 



Andersen AFB 



Guam 



Indo-Pacific 



Ellsworth AFB 



naval mine exercise 



MineX 



Bomber Task Force 



BTF 



Pacific Air Forces 



PACAF 



Navy Munitions Command 



Mark-62 Quickstrike mines Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander emphasizes five focus areas during AFA Warfare Symposium
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil