News United States Air Force
 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)
            
            
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    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)
            
            
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    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)
            
            
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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 



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