News United States Air Force
 USAFCENT flexes air-to-ground capabilities in historic first for BTFPublished June 8, 2023
                        
                        By Master Sgt. Amanda Sampson
                        
                        
                        Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Public Affairs
                **AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar (AFNS) --**
                **Ninth Air Force** (Air Forces Central) aircraft joined two **B-1B Lancers** over the **U.S. Central Command** area of responsibility, along with five partner nations and other coalition forces, during a Bomber Task Force mission, June 8.
This particular BTF mission was historic in that it was the first time AFCENT flew multiple weapons types and practiced employment against multiple simulated targets during single bomber task force mission.Staff Sgt. Sean Merrick, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron B-1B Lancer crew chief, left, and Airman First Class Jackie Breeden, 9th EBS B-1B Lancer egress apprentice, prepare the B-1 for launch at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, June 7, 2023.Staff Sgt. Sean Merrick, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron B-1B Lancer crew chief, and Airman 1st Class Jackie Breeden, 9th EBS B-1B Lancer egress apprentice, prepare the B-1 for launch at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 7, 2023. Bomber Task Force rotations support U.S. National Defense Strategy objectives through strategic predictability and operational unpredictability and the steady rotation of strategic bombers into the theater enables interoperability and enhances operational readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josiah Brown)
            
            
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    Senior Airman Joe Hance, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron weapons load crew member, drives the AGM-158 into the aft weapons bay at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, June 6, 2023.Senior Airman Joe Hance, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron weapons load crew member, drives the AGM-158 into the aft weapons bay at RAF, United Kingdom, June 6, 2023. Strategic bomber missions enhance readiness and provide lethal precision and global strike options to the U.S. and coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josiah Brown)
            
            
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    Senior Airman Romallis Lewis, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron weapons load crew member, performs munitions preparation on the AGM-158 at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, June 6, 2023.Senior Airman Romallis Lewis, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron weapons load crew member, performs munitions preparation on the AGM-158 at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, June 6, 2023. Strategic bomber missions enhance readiness and provide lethal precision and global strike options to the U.S. and coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Josiah Brown)
            
            
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The B-1Bs, assigned to **Dyess Air Force Base**, Texas’ 9th Bomb Squadron and currently forward deployed to the **U.S. European Command** area of responsibility, took off from **RAF Fairford**, United Kingdom to join various fighter coalition forces throughout the CENTCOM region.

During the BTF, the bombers employed live **GBU-38** Joint Direct Attack Munitions, as well as a live **AGM-158A** Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.
“These bomber missions represent the U.S.’s commitment to our partners and showcase our ability to deliver overwhelming power at a moment’s notice,” said U.S. Air Force **Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich**, Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander, and Combined Forces Air Component Commander for U.S. Central Command. “Together, we are operationalizing concepts designed to make us more agile in our execution, more strategic in our deterrence and more resilient in our capability.
“Today was a demonstration of that capability and the strength of our partnerships.”
Exercises like the BTF enhance U.S. interoperability with partner nations to deter regional aggression while promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.LR 



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