B-1 adapts, remains effective after 25 years: "The non-nuclear B-1 Lancer has adapted from a strategic mission to a close-air support role, and will continue to play an effective part in today's fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to leaders here.
While the remaining bombers in the Air Force inventory transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command, the B-1 has become the go-to airframe when combatant commanders want a show of force or support for ground troops.
'The predominance of what we are doing right now in theater is close-air support; non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and armed overwatch' said Col. Charlie Catoe, 7th Operations Group commander. 'We are supporting the troops on the ground.'
'The B-1's very flexible. What makes us very useful in the current fight is that we have a large payload, we can carry a varied amount of weapons,' Colonel Catoe said. 'If you need to go kinetic, you have a lot of choices on what you can do.'
Operating at approximately 20,000 feet, the B-1 waits or 'loiters' with up to 35 tons of precision-guided weapons. When ground troops encounter the enemy, the bomber's aircrew can engage in minutes because of the B-1's readiness and speed.
'We're fast for what you might think a bomber can do,' the colonel said. 'The loiter time is exceptional so we don't require as much tanker time to stay and hang around over the fight. Afghanistan is a good-sized country and we can dash back and forth across it as we need to, if somebody needs help in a hurry.'"
