A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., gets airborne while another B-2 waits for clearance March 4, 2010, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. More than 270 Airmen and four B-2 Spirits are deployed to Andersen AFB supporting the Pacific regions continuous bomber presence. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald) ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- More than 240 Airmen from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., arrived here in late February to support the deployment of B-2 Spirits as part of the continuous bomber presence here.
The Airmen and aircraft replaced the servicemembers and the B-52 Stratofortresses deployed here from Barksdale AFB, La.
Andersen AFB has had bombers present on its runway since 2004, the year the continuous bomber presence mission began.
The B-2's stealth characteristics give it the unique ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defenses and threaten its most valued and heavily defended targets. The bomber's capability to penetrate air defenses and threaten effective retaliation provides a strong effective deterrent and combat force well into the 21st century.
The B-2s join forces with F-22 Raptors deployed from the 90th Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, as part of the theater security package. The tandem of premier airframes creates a formidable alliance supporting Andersen AFB's mission within the Pacific region. This is the second pairing of these airframes for this mission.