Captivating Images Of The B-1B Lancer | Military Machine (2024)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cody Owens, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight controls journeymen, awaits engine shut-down of a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer deployed from Andersen Air Base, Guam, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 21, 2016. Today, the Lancer conducted the closest flight to North Korea ever. The B-1 is the backbone of the U.S. long-range bomber mission and is capable of carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., begins to take off down the runway during Red Flag 17-1 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 27, 2017. Red Flag involves a variety of attack, fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, airlift support, and search and rescue aircraft.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft lands at Avalon Airport, Geelong, Australia, March 1, 2017. The B-1B is participating in the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition (AVALON), the largest, most comprehensive aerial event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. While at AVALON, the B-1B will be on static display for airshow participants. This is the first time B-1s have landed in Australia while deployed in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence mission. The U.S. conducts CBP operations routinely by forward deploying bombers into the region as a deterrence capability supporting security and allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. Bombers and aircrew commonly participate in combined exercises and operations during CBP deployments. AVALON 2017 provided an ideal forum for the U.S. to showcase the B-1B’s capabilities to our allies, partners and citizens of the Pacific.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Bomber Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., rests on the flightline as pilots perform preflight checks during Red Flag 17-1 on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 25, 2017. Red Flag night missions present the additional challenge of low visibility, testing aircrew’s ability to execute the mission at any hour in a contested and degraded environment.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., flies during Red Flag 15-2 sortie at Nellis AFB, Nev., March 10, 2015. The B-1 can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time.

Two B-1B Lancers, assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, sit on the bomber pad before takeoff during Green Flag 16-05 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 21, 2016. Airmen who are new to their position gain from Green Flag the repetitions and fundamental close air support training necessary to be successful when emerged in a deployment environment.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron approaches a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling, Feb. 10, 2015, over the skies of Syria. The B-1 conducts air strikes against Da'esh in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Four U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrive Feb. 6, 2017, at Andersen AFB, Guam. The 9th EBS is taking over U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The B-1B’s speed and superior handling characteristics allow it to seamlessly integrate in mixed force packages. These capabilities, when combined with its substantial payload, excellent radar targeting system, long loiter time and survivability, make the B-1B a key element of any joint/composite strike force. While deployed at Guam the B-1Bs will continue conducting flight operations where international law permit.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off from Andersen AFB, Guam Oct. 25, 2016 to conduct integration training with Royal Australian Air Force joint terminal air controllers. While the two air forces share roots dating back to their respective formations, this is the first time in at least 10 years that B-1s have conducted close air support training in the vicinity of Australia. The B-1B is assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed to Guam from Ellsworth AFB, S.D. as part of Pacific Air Force’s continuous bomber presence.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron approaches a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron for refueling over Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, May 20, 2015. OIR is the military intervention against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Southwest Asia.

Staff Sgt. Trevor Helm, a crew chief for the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, washes the windshield of a B-1B Lancer prior to a mission, Jan. 29, in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The windows require a special solvent be used to clean them due to the material used in the window. Sgt. Helm is native to Lisbon, Maine and is deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

The bomb bay of a B-1B Lancer is loaded and ready for another mission, in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The Lancer is deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

Maj. James Silva (left) and Lt. Col. Steven Myers complete a flight in the first newly-upgraded operational B-1B Lancer Jan. 21, 2014, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The B-1B was recently upgraded with an Integrated Battle Station, which is a combination of three different upgrades, including a Fully Integrated Data Link, Vertical Situation Display upgrade and Central Integrated System upgrade. Silva and Myers are B-1B pilots.

B-1B Lancers assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, 34th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., receive final preparations before takeoff for a Red Flag 16-2 training sortie March 3, 2016, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag exercises typically occur four times annually, with a focus on refining air, ground, space, and cyber integration in a contested-degraded environment.

A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 7th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off on a sortie, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The bomber is deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

Two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., taxi during Red Flag 15-2 at Nellis AFB, Nev., March 10, 2015. Red Flag provides a series of intense air-to-air scenarios for aircrew and ground personnel to increase their combat readiness and effectiveness for future real-world operations.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrives Feb. 6, 2017, at Andersen AFB, Guam. The 9th EBS is taking over U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The B-1B’s speed and superior handling characteristics allow it to seamlessly integrate in mixed force packages. These capabilities, when combined with its substantial payload, excellent radar targeting system, long loiter time and survivability, make the B-1B a key element of any joint/composite strike force. While deployed at Guam the B-1Bs will continue conducting flight operations where international law permit.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrives Feb. 6, 2017, at Andersen AFB, Guam. The 9th EBS is taking over U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The B-1B's blended wing/body configuration, variable-geometry wings and turbofan afterburning engines, combine to provide long range, maneuverability and high speed while enhancing survivability. The rotation of aircraft in support is specifically designed to demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and enhance routine transiting in international airspace throughout the Pacific.

A B-1B Lancer sits on the flightline while receiving a post-flight inspection, Nov. 9. The B-1 can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off on a mission from a base in Southwest Asia. B-1 bombers supported both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, May 13. The B-1 carries the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory.

A transient B-1B Bomber from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, sits on the RAF Mildenhall flightline July 12, 2012. The B-1B Lancer is a multi-mission bomber, capable of carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the U.S. Air Force inventory. The platform has global reach capability and can deliver up to a 75,000 pound (34,019 kilogram) payload.

A B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, takes off from Nellis AFB, Nev., during Red Flag 16-1 Jan. 29, 2016. The 7th BW is one of many U.S. and allied air forces deployed to Nellis AFB to participate in the three week simulated air combat training over the 2.9 million acre Nevada Test and Training Range.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, lands Feb. 6, 2017, at Andersen AFB, Guam. The 9th EBS is taking over U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations from the 34th EBS, assigned to Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The B-1B's blended wing/body configuration, variable-geometry wings and turbofan afterburning engines, combine to provide long range, maneuverability and high speed while enhancing survivability. The rotation of aircraft in support is specifically designed to demonstrate the U.S.’s commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and enhance routine transiting in international airspace throughout the Pacific.

A U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., taxis in front of a B-2 Spirit, deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Aug. 15, 2016. The Continuous Bomber Presence is vital to our combat capability because it mitigates the geographical challenges of distance that are unique to the Pacific.

Two crew chiefs assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., prep a B-1B Lancer for flight during Red Flag 15-2 at Nellis AFB, Nev., March 10, 2015. Red Flag is a realistic combat exercise involving U.S. and allied air forces conducting training operations on the 15,000 square mile Nevada Test and Training Range.

The first newly upgraded operational B-1B Lancer prepares to take flight Jan. 21, 2014, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. The B-1B Lancer was recently upgraded with a new Integrated Battle Station. The IBS is a combination of three different upgrades, which include a Fully Integrated Data Link, a Vertical Situation Display upgrade, and a Central Integrated System upgrade. Developmental testing was conducted at Edwards AFB, Calif. and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron will now began operational testing at Dyess.