USAF's largest bomb wing enhances global readiness amid rising tensions

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USAF's largest bomb wing enhances global readiness amid rising tensions

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By Sky Industry News

Dec 2, 2024

The 2nd Bomb Wing, based at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, stands as the largest bomb wing within the Air Force Global Strike Command. It consists of over 8,500 active personnel and operates 26 B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers. The Wing includes various groups such as mission support, maintenance, operations, and medical to align with its motto "Liberty We Defend." It is part of the 8th Air Force and the Joint—Global Strike Operations Center (J-GSOC).

The mission of the "Mighty Eighth" Air Force/J-GSOC is to maintain indefinite strategic deterrence operations and neutralize enemies through global strikes when necessary to protect the United States.

The Wing is one of only two B-52H Stratofortress wings in the US Air Force alongside the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been operational since the 1950s. Currently, there are 76 aircraft in service across different bases.

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In recent developments, two Stratofortress bombers from Minot's 5th Bomb Wing were deployed to Qatar in November 2024 amid rising tensions with Iran. Concurrently, a deployment took place at Romania's Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base by the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from the 2nd Bomb Wing.

Furthermore, four US Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford in England for Bomber Task Force missions on November 8, 2024. On November 25, two bombers conducted a training mission in Finland to bolster military cooperation with NATO allies.

Barksdale's airmen have historically participated in significant military operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In August 2024, an organizational restructuring led to creating two new Bomber Generation Squadrons aimed at improving operational efficiency.

Additionally, personnel from both Barksdale and Minot participated in Exercise Prairie Vigilance/Bayou Vigilance earlier this year to prepare for potential threats against the United States and its allies. Eric Brown emphasized ensuring that "the 2nd Bomb Wing has the tools to provide command and control over situations."

Barksdale Air Force Base serves approximately 15,000 individuals comprising active personnel and their families along with retirees. Its location offers access to major cities like Dallas and Jackson due to its strategic placement between them.