The United States Air Force has once again deployed the B-2 Spirit to Australia as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Program. Operating under the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, three B-2As touched down at RAAF Base Amberley in mid-August, remaining in the country until mid-September. This marks the third deployment of the type to Australia, following a single visit in March 2022 and a lengthier mid-year deployment.
Maintaining a high tempo throughout their deployment, crews operated numerous missions throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Such deployments mark an important opportunity for bomber crews to integrate with both US and allied forces. Local sorties saw integration with a variety of Australian assets out of RAAF Bases Amberley and Williamtown, including Hawaiian-based F-22 Raptors from the 199th Fighter Squadron during a concurrent deployment to RAAF Base Williamtown in August. In Australia’s Top End, the B-2s also completed bombing runs with the United States Marine Corps as part of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin.
Crews saw sorties extending as far as Guam (2504nm from Amberley) and Diego Garcia (4691nm from Amberley) with both bases completing hot pit refuelling – a process that sees aircraft refuel on the ground while their engines are still running and a crew change is conducted. Whilst this process is not new to the USAF, it has been increasingly carried out and adapted under the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) scheme. ACE involves an increased tempo of movement for both aircraft and crew with a reduced footprint and less reliance on the major overseas bases. For the first time ever, Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35As rendezvoused with a single B-2 during this year’s Bomber Task Force (BTF), further strengthening tight-knit relations between the two nations.
On the 4th of September, we joined other members of the media at RAAF Base Amberley for a unique opportunity to see the B-2A Spirit up close. Present was 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Justin Meyer who discussed the aircraft’s role and the importance of this year’s BTF deployment. Earlier this year, Lt. Col. Meyer became the first pilot to surpass 2,000 flight hours in the B-2 Spirit.
“The presence of the B-2 and our Airmen highlights the ongoing commitment to security and stability in this region. The operations we conducted have helped to enhance joint force lethality and demonstrated our ability to operate globally while also maintaining readiness for any potential crisis.”
The Journey Down Under
Their deployment from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, began with a lengthy mission routing via Alaska before making their way down the Pacific Ocean and arriving in Australia under the cover of darkness. The three airframes present as part of this BTF were, 82-1067 ‘Spirit of Arizona’ and 82-1069 ‘Spirit of Indiana’ and 93-1086 ‘Spirit of Kitty Hawk’, making this a notably smaller deployment than the five airframes in 2022.
Refuelling support was provided by an extensive network of refuelling assets based at strategic locations extending from the United States west coast and across the Pacific Ocean and into Australia. No less then ten KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-46 Pegasuses were noted for the crossing of the first two B-2s with aircraft departing from Fairchild AFB (Washington, USA), Andersen AFB (Guam) and RAAF Base Amberley. Australia’s own KC-30A were also on station from the beginning of local missions, first noted in airspace just west of RAAF Base Amberley.
The B-2A is set to be joined by a second strategic stealth bomber with the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider currently undergoing flight testing stateside. The Raider will eventually see the retirement of the Spirit as they come into active service over the next decade. The Aviation Studio would like to thank the United States Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Department of Defence for hosting us.
