USAF B-1B Lancers and B-52 Stratofortresses conducted bilateral training with JASDF assets. Credit: US Air Force photo by Senior Airman River Bruce.

The US Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancers and B-52 Stratofortresses have conducted bilateral training with Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) fighter jets.

To support Pacific Air Forces’ Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions, B-1s from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB in Texas deployed to Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) in Guam last month.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Under the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) BTF mission, BTFs demonstrate the US’ commitment to the security.

Along with its allies and partners, it focuses on the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

During training conducted last month, the two allies conducted a variety of events including intercept and escort training.

In the Indo-Pacific region, the USAF enabled its strategic bombers to operate forward from CONUS locations.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

USAF 9th EBS director of operations major Robert Gaiser said: “Working and training with the JASDF strengthens both nations interoperability and sharpens the tactics, techniques and procedures between multiple platforms and nations.

“This mission in particular was critical to show regional adversaries the US willingness to conduct operations in international airspace with partner nations.”

Approximately 200 Dyess airmen arrived with four B-1Bs to assist Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts and missions.

Recently, two B-1s conducted training with eight JASDF F-15s and eight F-2s in the Sea of Japan.

JASDF fighters have also integrated with B-52s from Minot AFB in North Dakota and Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota since February.

Gaiser added: “These missions display the B-1s ability to hold any target in the region at risk at a time and place of our choosing. Additionally, it shows the regional players the US is willing and able to operate anywhere international law allows.

“The planning and execution of this mission showed the seamless bi-lateral coordination and strengthened the relationship between Japan and the US.”

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact