Regular training, such as the Bamboo Eagle exercises, is key to testing the capability and making improvements or adjustments where necessary.
The Air Force recently wrapped up one of the largest exercises in its history, which involved more than 10,000 troops and almost 200 combat aircraft.
Exercise Bamboo Eagle 25-1 took place across the Indo-Pacific and was intended to serve as a warning about America’s combat readiness to China.
Exercises Help America Contest the Indo-Pacific
The Bamboo Eagle 25-1 exercise included aircraft and troops from several countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Drills tested interoperability and the ability to deploy air power quickly across the vast distances of the Indo-Pacific.
Several types of combat and support aircraft participated in Bamboo Eagle 25-1, including F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter jets, KC-46 Pegasus air tankers, F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, KC-135 Stratotanker air tankers, and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets.
The B-2 Spirit in Action
But perhaps the most important aircraft that participated in the exercise was the U.S. Air Force’s B-2 Spirit strategic stealth bombers. Three aircraft assigned to the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron participated in the exercise.
“Bamboo Eagle provides us an opportunity to align with the warrior ethos mentality,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Manglitz, the commanding officer of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, said in a press release. “It’s one thing to train at home—and we train hard at home— but it’s even better to bring a subset of our base on the road here and work together to generate air power alongside the rest of the combat air force and our allies.”
The ultimate goal of the exercise was to test the ability of the B-2 and the other aircraft to operate effectively in a semi-permissive or non-permissive environment. In a potential future near-peer conflict with China, the U.S. military will try to establish air superiority over the battlefield. However, the Chinese will swiftly contest that with their own aircraft—as well as sophisticated “anti-access/area denial” (A2AD) systems. Thus, the ability of B-2s and other strategic bombers to conduct precision strikes in a contested environment will be of the utmost importance to the outcome of a conflict.
“From the perspective of the B-2, this exercise was a real test,” Manglitz added. “And when we’re able to overcome challenges and succeed in these simulated combat environments, that really bolsters this idea of warrior ethos within each and every one of us.”
The B-2’s Vital Stealth Capabilities
The B-2 was designed and equipped to evade enemy air defenses and deliver conventional and nuclear munitions with precision. However, this is a 32-year-old aircraft, and technology has moved on since then. Periodic upgrades have kept the stealth bomber relevant. But regular training, such as the Bamboo Eagle exercises, is key to testing the capability and make improvements or adjustments where necessary.
“It’s a tough job, and sometimes it’s a thankless job, but the maintenance crews do it anyway,” said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Benjamin Brooks, a maintenance officer assigned to the 366th Maintenance Squadron. “They’re out in the sun sweating, and it makes me really proud to be able to lead people who are so willing to get the job done and who have so much pride in the work they do.”
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing inspecial operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured inBusiness Insider,Sandboxx, andSOFREP.
Image: Shutterstock / Eugene Berman.