--- title: "All Three Of the USAF’s Bomber Types Congregate Unexpectedly In Guam" description: "The USAF sends its bomber trio to the Pacific." date: "2016-08-10" modified: "2016-08-10" authors: - name: "Tyler Rogoway" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway.md" url: "https://www.twz.com/4793/all-three-of-the-usafs-bomber-types-congregate-unexpectedly-in-guam" categories: - "Air" - "Air Forces" - "Americas" - "Around The Globe" - "B-1" - "B-2" - "B-52" - "Bombers" - "News & Features" - "U.S. Air Force" tags: - "B-1" - "B-2" - "B-52" - "Bombers" - "bones" - "Guam" - "Pacific" - "stealth" --- # All Three Of the USAF’s Bomber Types Congregate Unexpectedly In Guam ![]() *www.twz.com* It was known [that B-1Bs would replace]() a contingent of [B-52Hs currently on rotational deployment]() to Andersen AFB in Guam, but the arrival of B-2A’s came as a surprise. As a result of the secretive deployment, examples of all three of America’s heavy-hitting bomber force sat on the tarmac together today at America’s master air base in the Pacific. The deployment comes just days after a handful of B-2s and B-52s flew over the North Pole for a major [global strike readiness exercise dubbed “Polar Roar.”]() Each bomber brings a different mix of capabilities to the region. The B-1’s arrival packs with it the USAF’s heaviest-hitting conventional strike capability and considerable speed. The B-2, well, it can do what no other aircraft can—fly thousands of miles into enemy territory unrefueled and undetected and unleash a massive conventional (up to 80 independently targeted 500lb GBU-38 bombs) or nuclear payload. The B-52, like the B-1, also has the ability to drop laser-guided bombs and target them via their Sniper targeting pod. The venerable bomber also employs a host of other smart and dumb conventional munitions, and packs a big nuclear strike capability as well. ![adadccccc.jpg]() *A B-52, B-1 and B-2 sit on the ramp at Andersen AFB in Guam as part of a historic three bomber type deployment to the Pacific region., *USAF** B-2s are regular visitors to Guam, as they have shared in the Continuous Bomber Presence mission with their B-52 stable-mates over the last decade – although they usually don't show up unexpectedly like the B-2s did yesterday. Both communities have lost aircraft while fulfilling the mission, with a [B-52 crashing at Andersen AFB just last spring](). This is the first time the B-1 has taken up the mission and the first time it [has deployed to Guam in over a decade.]() Having the USAF’s bombers forward deployed together in one place, at one time, is quite the show of force. Something these aircraft are used for in the region from time-to-time. It also may result in some incredible aerial photos. ![160806-f-zm606-050.jpg]() *B-1Bs have arrived in Guam as part of a planned continuous bomber presence rotation. , *USAF** The USAF states that the B-2s deployment to Guam will be limited in nature. That doesn’t mean they won’t show up along [North Korea’s border]() or the over the [South China Sea]() before heading back to their base in Missouri. *Contact the author [Tyler@thedrive.com]()* ## Author Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day. ### Author social links [Twitter]()