US Sending B-1 / B-52 Bombers to South Korea

President Donald Trump is sending nuclear bombers to the Korean peninsula as tensions in the region reach breaking point according to The Sun newspaper. US military chiefs are reportedly planning to fly in B-1 and B-52 bombers – built to carry nuclear bombs – to show America has had enough.

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https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3049573/donald-trump-sends-b-52-nuclear-bombers-to-south-korea-after-north-fires-missiles-at-japan-and-us-warns-of-overwhelming-response/

B-1 Bombers Shifting to Strike Command

According to a recent AP item B-1 bombers from Ellsworth AFB and Dyess AFB are joining their long-range B-2 and B-52 bomber counterparts under a single Air Force command.

The Air Force is grouping its bombers under Air Force Global Strike Command, a nuclear-capable command based at Barksdale AFB, in a transition that will be effective Oct. 1 of this year. This leadership change also puts the Air Force's next-generation bomber program, frequently called the Long Range Strike Bomber, under the same auspices.

More than 60 aircraft and about 7,000 people will shift from Air Combat Command to Global Strike Command, according to the Air Force.

South Dakota U.S. Sen. John Thune said in a statement said that moving all the bomber wings under the control of Global Strike Command will make for a better transition as the Air Force plans for the Long Range Strike Bomber.

The B-1 bombers from Ellsworth and Dyess will join B-52 bombers from Minot AFB, among others, as part of Global Strike Command. The Air Force said the leadership change is expected to be "imperceptible" to most of the airmen on the bases.

"Consolidating all of our Air Force assets in this critical mission area under a single command will help provide a unified voice to maintain the high standards necessary in stewardship of our nation's bomber forces," Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said in a statement.

B-1 aircrews make history by employing laser JDAMS

by Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNS) -- B-1 Lancer aircrews from here employed laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions against moving targets during a weapon system evaluation program exercise May 14 through 16.

Aircrews from the 37th Bomb Squadron and 34th BS employed six GBU-54 laser JDAMs against targets on the Utah Test and Training Range near Hill Air Force Base, Utah, as part of the Air Force's air to ground WSEP, known as Combat Hammer.

"Combat Hammer provided us with the unique opportunity to employ weapons in real-world scenarios and evaluate the weapon and aircraft-to-weapon interface in great detail due to the telemetry kits on the weapons," said Lt. Col. Stuart Newberry, the 37th BS commander. "This data, when coupled with scenarios usually unavailable to us except in combat scenarios, provides us with an opportunity to validate and refine our tactics, techniques and procedures ... as well as adjust training plans and combat standards."

The goal of the exercise was to evaluate the effectiveness, maintainability, suitability and accuracy of precision guided munitions and other advanced air to ground weapons. The entire process of weapons handling was evaluated from start to finish during Combat Hammer.

Maj. Michael Ballard, the lead bomber evaluator for Combat Hammer, said this time around, WSEP focused on the cradle-to-grave evaluation for the LJDAM.

The LJDAM is a 500-pound, dual-mode guided weapon. It's equipped with a laser seeker, which aids in its ability to demonstrate outstanding accuracy and can be employed to engage both stationary and moving targets on the ground.

"We didn't do anything different because of WSEP - our main focus is always on safe and reliable loading first time, every time," said Master Sgt. Joshua Klotz, the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron NCO in charge of loading. "We qualify monthly on all B-1 bomber assigned munitions and are required to complete proficiency loading every month."

Leadership was mindful in the selection process of aircrews for Combat Hammer, ensuring that Airmen who had less experience would be teamed up with seasoned aviators.

"We try to provide a mix of experience during Combat Hammer sorties," Newberry said. "All crewmembers were fully qualified, but it's important to allow younger aviators -- those without a lot of experience -- the opportunity to build confidence in their skills and weapon system while they are supervised by more experienced aircrew."

Newberry noted that aircrews have been limited in training opportunities with the LJDAM unless they are participating in a Combat Hammer scenario.

"It was gratifying to be part of the first operational release," said Capt. Charles Armstrong, a 37th BS B-1 weapon systems operator and a mission leader for Combat Hammer. "We're learning a lot from these missions, and it's vital to uncover the peculiarities of this weapon now in a training environment so we can employ it with no issues in combat."

Since LJDAMs had never been employed by an operational B-1 squadron before, Ellsworth AFB was the first to be evaluated on tactics and procedures while employing LJDAMs.

Newberry added that the Combat Hammer team continuously looks for different scenarios that could occur during combat situations, including GPS jamming, slowing down or speeding up moving targets, and then attempts to replicate them during sorties.

"Evaluators will be able to retrieve data from the telemetry kits on the weapons and build a picture of how the weapon was or was not affected in various scenarios," Newberry said. "That data is invaluable in refining and adjusting our training plans."

Ellsworth AFB is home to two of the nation's three B-1 combat squadrons and carries the lion's share of the deployment taskings involving the B-1. Since 2007, Ellsworth AFB B-1s have deployed 12 of every 18 months in support of missions in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Additionally, aircrews from here conduct missions to rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against adversaries.

Armstrong said that adding LJDAMs to the B-1's already diverse arsenal will only increase the already remarkable mission effectiveness rate Ellsworth AFB has had in current operations around the globe.

Team accelerates test, delivers B-1B close-air support capability to warfighter

by Kate Blais, 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- A developmental test team here partnered with an operational test team from Texas to accelerate testing and deliver to the warfighter B-1B Lancers that can find and strike moving targets in close-air support of ground troops even quicker than before.

Merging developmental and operational testing to consolidate resources on a compressed timeline, members of the 419th Flight Test Squardon and Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, worked to ensure the B-1 upgrade was ready for combat operations by January.

The members of the 419th FLTS and 337th TES conducted a series of tests that culminated Nov. 15, completing Laptop Controlled Targeting Pod Phase II.

"During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, it became clear that the B-1 needed an additional capability to support close-air support scenarios," said Christina Ryskey, the project lead engineer and B-1 targeting pod engineer at the 419th Flight Test Squadron and Bomber Combined Test Force.

That capability came in the form of Laptop Targeting Pod Phase I.

"The first phase integrated a targeting pod, but still required the weapons system operator to manually enter any coordinates derived from the targeting pod," said Maj. David Marten, the B-1 flight commander and project pilot at the 419th FLTS. "This only allowed the pod to be useful on stationary targets."

Although Phase I allowed the B-1 to interface with the targeting pod, it proved to be a limited capability, as there was no hand-off of information from the pod back to the airplane. Although coordinates were derived from the pod, manually entering the data increased time and decreased the B-1's ability to strike a moving target.

The solution, LCTP Phase II.

"Now with the second phase, we not only have the ability to complete the loop of the targeting pod, but also include the ability to drop laser targeted bombs from the B-1," said Lt. Col. Hans Miller, the 419th FLTS commander and Bomber Combined Test Force director. "So not only can I track and identify the targets on the ground, I can strike ground targets moving at low and high speeds. That is a crucial capability that we have with this upgrade."

A completed communication loop between the plane and the targeting pod, which allows for direct importation of coordinates, shortens the kill chain, which is a significant increase to capability in the field, said Marten.

"Guys on the ground calling for air support will get their bombs faster and with more precision," he said.

"If we're told that there's a target in the vicinity, via ground troops, I can visually acquire with the pod, get exact location, directly import that information into the weapon system and attack it," said Maj. Michael Jungquist, the 419th FLTS project weapons system officer. "The targeting pod tells the weapon exactly where to go and can refine the target with lasers in the pod. I'll be able to put weapons on a target, even if it wasn't where it was when I first started looking at it."

LCTP Phase II's self-lasing capability allows the B-1 to track targets, constantly update its coordinates and employ GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition.

"With Phase II, the B-1 gets as much precision as any close air support player, but now combined with global reach, large payload and long loiter time provided by a strategic bomber," Marten said.

In addition to favorable test results and upgraded capabilities, the planning and execution of the testing were important pieces to the puzzle because the time between test commencement to operational delivery was only 8 months.

"Another huge success of the November test was that it was a great example of integrated operational and developmental test," Miller said. "We worked on a compressed timeline and despite some issues that were found in a test, and corrections that were presented and fixed, we were able to still meet that fielding recommendation and deployment timeline so that this can get to the fight and be useable for combat crews going out next deployment."

Checking into the fight this January is a B-1 with more capabilities to support the joint service effort.

"We had a timeline to meet in order to better support troops on the ground," Jungquist said, "and we're making that happen."

Eye in the sky

A B-1B Lancer with a Sniper advanced targeting pod is parked on the flightline Oct. 22, 2010, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The pod is a long-range precision targeting system that supports the B-1's mission by providing positive target identification, autonomous tracking, coordinate generation and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges supporting air to ground operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Kasey Close)

by Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNS) -- The last 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer received the necessary modifications to operate the Sniper advanced targeting pod Oct. 18.

The advanced targeting pod acts as a long-range camera, which can pinpoint targets for precision strikes and close-air-support missions.

"It's hard to imagine doing close-air support without it," said Capt. William Louie, the 34th Bomb Squadron weapons systems officer. "The sniper pod and the B-1 go together very well, especially with the expanded mission of the bomber."

Since its combat debut in 2008, the Sniper pod has become an invaluable tool in assisting coalition servicemembers on the ground in hostile areas, Captain Louie said. Its ability to provide a live video feed to ground forces has saved their lives on numerous occasions.

"It's changed the way we fight the war," Captain Louie said. "The Sniper pod is an after-market add-on that allows us to improve our CAS training and operations."

First requested in July 2006, the Sniper pod expanded the B-1's role downrange by enabling weapons systems officers to positively identify targets, self-generate coordinates, provide coalition forces with remote video feeds and employ laser-guided weapons. These capabilities, coupled with the long loiter time of the B-1 and the intense training of its aircrew members, make for an invaluable asset in the current theater of operations.

"The training we go through lessens the pain of the actual first mission," Captain Louie said. "We develop a muscle memory through training that enables us to function perfectly when things heat up and lives are on the line."

With the last B-1 receiving the Sniper pod system, aircrew members are now able to fully incorporate their expanded training plans into all the aircraft of the 28th BW. These plans focus on the diverse role of the B-1 downrange, which may include following ground forces during a mission to provide vital intelligence and support when necessary.

"The more jets we have available to train, the better we are able to hone our deployment skills," the captain said.

Col. William Eldridge, the 28th Operations Group commander, said the addition of the Sniper pod has revitalized and expanded the role of the B-1 to saving lives downrange.

"The B-1's Sniper pod has revolutionized bomber operations," Colonel Eldridge said. "For an aircraft that was developed to deliver nuclear weapons from low altitude to now perform close-air support as a primary mission is mind blowing. The Sniper pod and B-1 combination are saving lives right now in Afghanistan."

B-1 carries record-setting missile load

by Tech. Sgt. Robert Wollenberg, 7th Bomb Wing Public affairs

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- A Dyess Air Force Base B-1B Lancer carried a full load of 24 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles on a flight over the Gulf of Mexico, Sept. 7 -- a first for the B-1 and AGM-158.

"The mission was a success," said Maj. Brian Owen, the chief of wing weapons and tactics. "Everything went as planned, and we can verify that the B-1B can in fact operate its full capacity of JASSMs."

The purpose of the flight was to ensure maintainers, ammo and munitions Airmen and B-1 aircrew are proficient in uploading, flying, employing and downloading the AGM-158 JASSM and to test all missile-related processes to see if there's room for improvement. None of the missiles were released during this test; they were system-checked while in the air.

"Maintainers loading 24 JASSMs on one B-1 is a record-setting event," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Rud, of 7th Maintenance Group. "It's never been done before. The main reason we're doing this is for training. It's the cornerstone of all we do. It provides us the opportunity to hone our war fighting skills and gives us the opportunity to project our combat capability right here out of Dyess (AFB)."

The B-1 is the most capable JASSM employment platform in the world, Major Owen said.

"We've seen the engineering specs that say it's supposed to work, but it's never been done before," Major Owen said . "What makes the B-1 unique versus the other aircraft around the world is that we can employ these weapons on such a large scale. We can take off with two aircraft and have the capability to strike 48 different targets."

The second most capable aircraft is the B-2 Spirit, carrying 16 JASMMs, followed by the B-52 Stratofortress with 12.

The AGM-158 JASSM is designed to keep the jet and its crew a significant distance away from surface-to-air threats while still holding an enemy's targets at risk.

The AGM-158A is a stealth cruise missile powered by a Teledyne CAE J402 turbojet that uses flip-out wings with control surfaces and a single vertical tail for flight control. It's guided by a jamming-resistant, GPS-aided inertial navigation system and uses an imaging infrared seeker for autonomous pattern-based target selection and terminal homing.

The missile is armed with a 1,000 pound WDU-42/B insensitive munitions penetrating warhead, and accuracy is quoted within 8 feet. It is also equipped with a data link to transmit status and location information until impact, thus assisting in bomb damage assessment.

"I've been in the aircraft maintenance business for more than 24 years, and anytime you have the opportunity to do something first, it is a real morale booster," Sergeant Rud said. "It gives us here at Dyess (AFB) bragging rights, and that goes a long way in terms of building pride in your unit and pride in the aircraft you work on. I have found that people love to do their primary job, whether it's ammo line delivery crews delivering bombs or weapons loaders loading bombs.

"It's in these moments that people get energized when they see their part of an operation come together with the other pieces of the puzzle that makes them feel good about what they do," he said.

Bomber crews keep watch over operations in Southwest Asia

The sun casts a silhouette of a B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Jan. 23, 2010, at an air base in Southwest Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez)

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Airmen from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron validated their capabilities and those of the B-1B Lancer during a deployment that concluded Jan. 27, here.

37th EBS Airmen generated 556 sorties, flew more than 6,980 hours, and dropped more than 240 munitions for more than 550 missions during their deployment to Southwest Asia.

"We are very proud of what we have been able to accomplish during this deployment," said Lt. Col. Steven Biggs, the 37th EBS commander. "The achievements of our Airmen during this rotation are reflective of the rich heritage of the B-1B."

"We were able to show why the B-1B and the Airmen who support the aircraft have been valuable assets to the Air Force for more than 25 years," said Lt. Col. John Martin, the 37th EBS B-1B instructor weapons system officer and director of operations.

They also made a difference during the attack on Combat Outpost Keating in October 2009, when hundreds of insurgents armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades attacked Soldiers there.

After more than 10 hours of bombing and strafing from a B-1B Lancer and F-15E Strike Eagles, nearly 100 militants were killed by the combined response that included Afghan soldiers as well as U.S. air and ground units. Eight Americans and three Afghans were killed, while nine Americans and 11 Afghans were wounded, according to Combined Joint Task Force-82 officials.

"There is no doubt that without the incredible air support we received, it would have been a much worse day," said Army Lt. Col. Robert Brown, the 3-61 Cavalry commander from the 4th Infantry Division. "The ability to keep a steady flow of aircraft and ordnance on the enemy turned what could have been a terrible defeat into a hard fought victory."

"It is great to be a part of a mission like that," Colonel Martin said. "To be able to help defeat the enemy after they attack us is something our Airmen will always remember."

While the accomplishments in the air have been numerous for these bomber aircrews, none of it would be possible without the 37th Aircraft Maintenance Unit on the ground.

"Each of our Airmen has put about 72 man-hours a week into making sure our aircraft are ready to do the mission," said Capt. Chris Reese, the 37th AMU officer in charge. "We turned over 100 percent of our aircraft ready to fly. We are very proud of our team."

B-1B makes impact throughout Southwest Asia

Capt. Andre Walton runs a B-1B Lancer through its preflight checklist May 5 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Captain Walton is a 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot. He is a native of Raleigh, N.C., and deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)

by Senior Airman Brok McCarthy, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Before late 2008, the B-1B Lancer was known primarily as a bomber, but since then the aircraft was modified to include the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod now provides nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces.

"Before the B-1B was equipped with the sniper pod, we had to utilize extremely accurate coordinates from an off board source for most of our targeting solutions," said Lt. Col. Jen Fullmer, the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander.

"We have a capability to generate coordinates with our radar but not the highly accurate coordinates that we can generate with the sniper pod," said the colonel who is deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. "In addition, Sniper provides the crew fairly detailed infrared or TV image and a capability to locate and track targets, friendly positions, etc.

"Along with our legacy mission of weapons employment in a (close-air support) or interdiction role, we are now heavily engaged in missions such as (improvised explosive device) emplacement search, convoy support and armed overwatch of friendly positions," she said.

There have been instances where crews were monitoring a group of people in an area that is popular for IED placement, like an intersection, said Colonel Fullmer, a native of Wilton, Conn. They can generate accurate coordinates for the site and any other location the individuals go and pass it along to the joint termian attack controller so everything can be investigated.

After having been in theater for 90 days, the squadron has flown more than 285 missions and has had jets in the air for more than 3,380 hours. During that time, they have responded to approximately 170 incidents where servicemembers were in direct combat with the enemy. In many of those cases, simply the presence of a B-1B made a difference to the ground forces.

"There are times where you can tell in the JTACs' voices after we show up that they start to relax a little because they have an asset they can trust to employ precision munitions very quickly," said Maj. Sid Stegall, a 9th EBS instructor pilot. "The other thing is the enemy kind of knows what we do at this point too, so they don't want to make themselves a target that we have the ability to strike.

"There have been many instances where we haven't needed to (drop bombs) just because we are on scene," said the major from Pine Log, Ga. "Just because we are at an altitude where they can see or hear us, they know if they continue with their actions it's not going to end well for them. So there have been a lot of situations where there has been a troops-in-contact situation and we show up and everything just kind of stops."

Prior to the Sniper pod, the B-1B could only participate in a few steps of what the Air Force calls the "kill chain," the order of actions that must occur to complete an offensive action. In some instances, the squadron didn't drop a bomb because of collateral damage concerns. In these instances, they were able to watch the ground with the Sniper pod and pass information to other weapons platforms in the area that might be better equipped to act in the situation.

"During one of our recent missions, we supported (ground troops in combat) but we did not drop weapons because the friendly forces were engaged in a very close fire fight," Colonel Fullmer said. "Friendly forces were firing back at an enemy firing position in a small enclosure. One of the enemy soldiers escaped from the back of the building and we were able to track him with our Sniper pod, mark him with an infrared marker in order to highlight his position so a nearby Apache helicopter could suppress the threat. Since it was nighttime, we had the capability to put an infrared beam on the guy, which we call a sparkle. When someone looks through night-vision goggles, it looks like a laser beaming from our jet down to the target. So we sparkled the (runner) and alerted an Apache, who then picked the beam up on his night-vision goggles, came in with his guns and (eliminated the threat)."

Colonel Fullmer said she thinks the B-1B will have an enduring presence in the region and will continue flying missions as long as it is still a useful asset to the ground commanders.

"One thing remains clear in the minds of my Airmen is we are here to protect those men and women who are selflessly fighting this war on the ground in harm's way," Colonel Fullmer said. "If we prevent one fallen comrade ceremony, or just let one Soldier get a needed hour of sleep while we are making noise overhead to keep the enemy at bay, then we have done our job. Every person on this base has an important role in successfully accomplishing this critical mission."

B-1B performs as never envisioned after 20 years

by Tech. Sgt. Russell Wicke, Air Combat Command Public Affairs

A B-1B Lancer lifts off from the runway of an air base in Southwest Asia. The B-1B is a multi-role, long-range bomber capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling. It can perform a variety of missions, including that of carrying conventional weapons for theater operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. David Miller)

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- May 2 marks 20 years since the last B-1B Lancer was delivered to the Air Force, and today commanders consider it one of the most valuable aircraft in Iraq.

Since 2003, the once-nuclear-weapon-carrying bomber has maintained a continuous presence in Southwest Asia after the Air Force modified it to carry numerous conventional bombs.

The Lancer's efficiency in urban ground combat is peculiar considering its designers never envisioned it for such a job, said Lt. Col. James Johnson, Air Combat Command B-1 weapons system chief. The bomber, he said, was designed to make flights around the globe from four garrison bases to deliver nuclear ordnance. Now it's an inter-theater aircraft trading long-range sorties for loiter time in Iraqi air space.

"Upgrades enabled it to use smaller bombs and more of them," said Senior Master Sgt. Chuck Klein, Air Combat Command B-1 aircraft manager. "[The B-1] uses precision smart bombs to support troops in contact."

Operating at approximately 20,000 feet, the B-1 waits patiently with up to 35 tons of precision-guided bombs. When ground troops encounter the enemy it can engage in minutes because of its readiness and speed.

In the first six months of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the bomber delivered almost 40 percent of the bomb tonnage in only five percent of the sorties. Nearly five years later, the B-1 sorties increased by 25 percent, and Air Force officials dubbed it the most valuable aircraft for OIF in March 2007.

Other Air Force bombers have their advantage: the B-2 Spirit boasts stealth and the B-52 Stratofortress is low cost to operate.

But the B-1 earned its popularity by trumping those bombers in speed, range and payload, said Sergeant Klein. Those attributes are what make it a perfect fit for the war in Iraq.

"The airplane can do the job continuously and has the right mix of weapons," he said, adding that its long loiter time and massive payload make it a fast lifesaver for ground troops.

In fact, the B-1 is so effective there are times when it doesn't even need to drop a bomb.

Army officials from the 82nd Airborne 2nd Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, who returned from Iraq in November, said a B-1 show of force was more than enough to put the enemy's head down during gun battles. A show of force occurs when an aircraft flies by low and fast releasing flares to intimidate enemy combatants. Smaller fighter aircraft are usually used for this purpose; however, the 200,000 pound Lancer makes for an intense fly-by, Army officials said.

Despite the B-1's age, its effectiveness in Iraq prompts the Air Force to keep a sharp technological edge on the Lancer. Upgrades to the B-1 are ongoing initiatives that modify the airframe with the latest technology, according to Colonel Johnson. Currently B-1s are being equipped with the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, which allows pilots to identify tactical targets at greater ranges.

Other accomplishments of the B-1 include the breaking of 51 world records. Sergeant Klein said many of these records include carrying large amounts of weight at fast speeds from one point to another.

"It's been the bomber of choice for [Central Air Forces]," he said. "It's the right bomber for the mission in Iraq, which is close-air support."

B-1B destroys al-Qaida torture compound in Iraq

by Tech. Sgt. Joel Langton, Air Forces Central Public Affairs
Senior Airman Joseph Aton clears a B-1B Lancer to drop six 500-pound guided bomb unit-38s onto an al-Qaida torture house and prison March 10 in northern Zambraniyah, Iraq. Airman Aton is a joint terminal attack controller from Fort Hood, Texas, and is deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

ZAMBRANIYAH, Iraq (AFPN) -- A B-1B Lancer aircrew destroyed an al-Qaida torture compound and prison with six guided bomb unit-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions at 2:07 p.m. March 10 in Zenbaraniyah.

The bombing marked a change of fortunes for the village, where local villagers began standing up to the terrorists a little more than a month ago in the former al-Qaida hotbed south of Baghdad.

The 500-pound-class Global Positioning System-guided bombs struck the torture compound in a coordinated effort with Multi-National Division - Center officials and Iraqi forces.

An al-Qaida torture compound and prison is destroyed after being hit with six guided bomb unit-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions from a B-1B Lancer at 2:07 p.m. March 10 in Zenbaraniyah, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)

"This (airstrike) removes the last remnants of al-Qaida from this area," said Army Lt. Col. Mark Solomon, the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Squadron commander.

The compound consisted of three buildings along with several small shelters near the back of the compound. The facilities had been used for torture, with handcuffs hooked to the walls with bare wires plugged into outlets nearby. Several of the walls were blood splattered. There were also several interrogation manuals Soldiers found when they captured the compound.

One community member, who escaped from the facility, said it was a new day for the village as he looked into the bomb's craters.

"We all feel good," Aubid Abdalla said. "It's a dark past that is gone."

Mr. Abdalla, a former Iraqi army intelligence officer, was encouraging local citizens to give coalition efforts a chance, when he was kidnapped. He spent 15 days in the facility and saw a young boy and an old man killed while he was held prisoner.

Less than an hour afterward, after the B-1B's precision deliveries destroyed the al-Qaida torture facilities, Mr. Abdalla said the event had changed him.

"I'm a lot happier now," he said. "It was like my mother gave birth to me again."

Senior Airman Joseph Aton, a joint terminal attack controller assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, directed the final clearance in the B-1B's deliberate JDAM weapons delivery process.

"It was great to be part of this," Airman Aton said. "You can tell the people were happy to have this place gone and it was awesome to make a difference for them."

The effort was a joint effort between officials from the Multi-National Division-Center, the Combined Forces Air Component commander's Combined Air and Space Operations Center, the 9th Air Expeditionary Task Forces Air Expeditionary Wing, which flies the B-1B in the area of responsibility and Sons of Iraq, who helped provide security.

As coalition forces left the area, villagers stood on the side of the road cheering and clapping to be rid of this remnant of al-Qaida.

Airman 1st Class Daniel String puts his radio and gear on after a B-1B Lancer successfully dropped six GBU-38 munitions onto an al-Qaida torture house and prison March 10 in northern Zambraniyah, Iraq. Airman Aton is a joint terminal attack controller from Fort Drum, N.Y., and is deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division 2nd Brigade. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)