Last week, U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flew to the Pacific to join the large-scale joint exercise Valiant Shield 2024. This exercise took place around Guam, Palau, and the Northern Mariana Islands, marking the first landing of B-2 bombers on Guam since 2019.
Three B-2A Spirit stealth bombers departed Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri on June 12, 2024, using the callsigns REARM 71, 72, and 73. The aircraft landed at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on June 13, participating alongside F-22 Raptors and Marine Corps F-35Bs. Images released by the Department of Defense and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) showcased these stealth bombers in action during the exercise.
🚨🇺🇸☢️Video of multiple B2 stealth bombers at
Anderson Air Force Base in Guam 🇬🇺where US they did a joint exercise over the Pacific Air Force along with F 35 fighter jets landing at the AFB in Guam🇬🇺🇺🇸The US bombers along with F-22 B1 Bombers did a massive joint exercise… pic.twitter.com/dE8dpqybRy
— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) June 20, 2024
Valiant Shield, which concluded on June 18, provided a platform for the U.S. military to demonstrate its strategic capabilities. The B-2 deployment, accompanied by refueling support from KC-135s based at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, highlighted the bombers’ role in showcasing speed, flexibility, and readiness. The deployment was especially significant given a previous grounding of B-2s following a 2022 incident.
The exercise included a variety of training scenarios, emphasizing counter-maritime missions to improve interoperability and demonstrate operational readiness. Valiant Shield featured activities like a sinking exercise on a decommissioned amphibious transport dock, high-altitude balloon launches, and nighttime flying operations.
Valiant Shield 2024 was notable for the participation of all six U.S. military services and international partners. The exercise began on June 7 with a formation flight involving B-1 Lancer bombers and F-22 Raptors over U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships. This display marked the start of intensive joint training designed to enhance interoperability and readiness among allied forces.
The U.S. Air Force played a pivotal role in the exercise, deploying a diverse array of assets. Alongside the B-2 Spirit bombers, the Air Force contributed F-22 Raptors, F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Noteworthy was the endurance feat of C-130Js, which undertook maximum endurance operations to reach the Pacific, reflecting the commitment and capability of U.S. forces to operate globally.
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