Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron wait to board their flight before deploying to Guam from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct 1. The Airmen are deploying in support of the continuous bomber presence in the pacific, a standing Air Force Global Strike Command deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)
Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron play cards while waiting to board their flight to Guam for a deployment from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct 1. The Airmen are deploying for six months in support of the continuous bomber presence in the pacific, a standing Air Force Global Strike Command deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)
Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron receive boxed meals while waiting to board their flight to Guam for a deployment from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 1. The Airmen can't leave the holding area once they are cleared to board the flight, so food was provided on-location. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)
Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron board a flight to Guam for a deployment from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct 1. The Airmen are deploying in support of the continuous bomber presence in the pacific, a standing Air Force Global Strike Command deterrence mission. This is the first group of Airmen from Barksdale who are deploying for a six-month rotation as opposed to four months as it has been in the past. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)
Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron board a flight to Guam for a deployment from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct 1. The Airmen are deploying in support of the continuous bomber presence in the pacific, a standing Air Force Global Strike Command deterrence mission. This is the first group of Airmen who are deploying for a six-month rotation as opposed to four months as it has been in the past. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)
Airmen from the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron load chemical gear into containers to be shipped to Guam in support of a deployment from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 2. The 96th Bomb Squadron left the previous day on a passenger aircraft, and any support equipment needed from Barksdale was shipped on a cargo plane separately. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Chad Warren)(RELEASED)
by Staff Sgt. Chad Warren
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
10/11/2012 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A large group of Airmen from the 96th Bomb Squadron deployed to Guam in support of the Air Force's continuous bomber presence in the pacific region Oct. 1.
Barksdale is one of three Air Force Global Strike Command bases that supports the pacific bomber presence, including Minot AFB, N.D. and Whiteman AFB, Mo.
Traditionally a four-month deployment, this group will be the first from Barksdale to experience a longer stay on the island.
"Ours is the first six-month rotation," said Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Sternod, 96th Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant maintenance superintendent.
The longer deployment time means less money and manpower spent on the deployment process. By extending the time in Guam from four to six months, a full rotation of five units changes from 20 to 30 months.
Barksdale and Minot each have two bomb squadrons which support the bomber presence with the B-52H Stratofortress for four-fifths of the rotation, and the other portion is covered by B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman.
The Airmen from the 96th are eager to take on the deployment even though the rotation is longer than the past ones.
"We will work long shifts, but it will be worth it," said Airman 1st Class Jeremy Gorman, 96 AMU crew chief. "I'm excited, I'm deploying with a bunch of friends."
Camaraderie is important during a deployment according to Sternod, who has been deployed to several locations around the globe. Bonding with fellow Airmen is an invaluable skill, and deployments provide the perfect opportunity for people to focus on the wingman concept.
"Deployments are always good because it's like a family," said Sternod. "You bond quite a bit with everybody."
The 96th BS Airmen are replacing Airmen from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Minot who have been upholding the bomber presence for the past six months.
