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USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX — USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.S. Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and U.S. Sailors from the Navy Munitions Command, Pacific Unit, Guam, prepare to load MK-62 Quickstrike Naval mines onto a B-1B Lancer in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 21, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions support the National Defense Strategy (NDS) objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability through the speed, flexibility, and readiness of strategic bombers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX — USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.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)

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.S. Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and U.S. Sailors from the Navy Munitions Command, Pacific Unit, Guam, prepare to load MK-62 Quickstrike Naval mines onto a B-1B Lancer in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 21, 2022. Bomber Task Force missions support the National Defense Strategy (NDS) objectives of strategic predictability and operational unpredictability through the speed, flexibility, and readiness of strategic bombers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)

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USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.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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USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

Published Oct. 26, 2022
By Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone
Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --

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, Guam, Oct. 24.

Bomber missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific 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.”

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

SLIDESHOW | images | USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

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.

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.

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX — USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.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)

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX — USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.S. Air Force Capt. Joe Welch, 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, returns from a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 24, 2022. These missions highlight the importance of working alongside Allies, partners and other U.S. joint military units to bolster the collective ability to support a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)

USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX — USAF, Navy integrate for Bomber Task Force MineX

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Daryl Walters, 28th Munitions Squadron weapons lead crew member assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, prepares to load an MK-62 Quickstrike Naval mine onto a B-1B Lancer in support of a Bomber Task Force mission at Andersen AFB, Guam, Oct. 21, 2022. Pacific Air Forces remains ready and postured to respond to and support global operations by operating with a variety of aircraft and units in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Malone)

“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,” said McConnell. “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.