The bombers’ return to Guam signals US strategic presence amid tensions with China and North Korea, as global Bomber Task Force missions continue.
United States Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers have returned to Guam, marking the first deployment of the long-range strategic aircraft to the US territory this year. The number of B-52Hs from Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB) departed on Saturday and have since arrived at Andersen AFB.
The US Air Force hasn’t confirmed that this is part of the latest Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission, which has increasingly been carried out in the Indo-Pacific to serve as a deterrent to China and North Korea. It follows the deployment of Rockwell B-1B Lancer bombers from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, to Andersen Air Force Base, which began in January.
During the BTF 25-1 mission, one of the B-1Bs participated in drills with South Korean F-35 Lightning II and F-15 Eagle jets and US F-16 Fighting Falcons. These exercises marked the first over the Korean Peninsula since President Donald Trump returned to the White House.
The B-1B Bombers Are Sent Between Japan, Diego Garcia, and Guam
In April, two other B-1B Lancers from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Dyess AFB, Texas, were sent to Misawa Air Base, Japan, marking the first BTF mission to Japan.
The aircraft conducted exercises from the base, located approximately 425 miles northwest of Tokyo. Known as the “Tip of the Spear,” it is just 810 miles from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, which is located around 1,300 miles from Beijing, China.
Those bombers returned to the United States earlier this month.
Around six Northrop B-2 Spirit bombers, and an undisclosed number of B-52Hs are also reported to be still deployed to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to confront Iran and its regional Houthi proxies in Yemen should the need arise.
The aircraft were sent to the UK’s island territory as the Trump administration sought to conclude a nuclear deal with Tehran and to confront the Houthi militants, who had been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Last week, another B-52H was deployed to Morón Air Base, Spain, Europe’s most recent BTF mission this year. It followed BTF 2025-2 Europe, in which four B-52s assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota, took part in thirteen individual missions carried out with US allies and partners in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, operating from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, England.
Those bombers spent roughly six weeks deployed to Europe.
The B-52Hs now operating in Guam are expected to remain until early July and will likely participate in joint exercises with regional allies and partners. As with the B-1B Lancers deployed to Misawa, Japan, the Stratofortresses will likely send a strong message to China and North Korea, each of which has been rattling sabers in recent months.
The New B-52 Upgrades Will Keep the Aircraft in Service
The United States Air Force currently operates 76 Cold War-era B-52s, and the aircraft are expected to remain operational into the 2040s and beyond. To keep the aging warbirds flying, the bombers are receiving numerous updates, including new Rolls-Royce F-130 engines, the installation of Raytheon’s AESA AN/APG-79 radar as part of the addition of new navigation and communication systems, and even the installation of a privacy screen for the aircraft’s single lavatory.
Once completed, the aircraft will be redesignated as the B-52J, and the crew will be reduced by one. The B-52 is operated by a five-person crew that includes two pilots, two navigators, and an electronic warfare officer. The upgrade will relocate the control and Display unit panels at the navigator station, reducing the need for the EWO position.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Master Sgt. Chris Hibben.
