US Air Force B-1B and B-2 stealth bombers fly strike exercises over the Top End

UNITED States Air Force B-1B and B-2 stealth bombers have taken part in a combined US-Australia strike exercise in the Territory. SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE >>>

US Marine Corps Col. David Banning and Royal Australian Air Force Group Capt. Stewart Dowrie assess a B-1B Lancer air strike. Picture: Scott Schmidt

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UNITED States Air Force B-1B Lancers and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers have participated in a combined US-Australia strike exercise in the NT.

The B1-B and B-2 bombers flew from Guam and Diego Garcia respectively, and operated over Delamere, Bradshaw and Mount Bundey training areas during August.

A B-2 stealth bomber … US Air Force B-1B Lancers and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers have participated in a combined US-Australia strike exercise in the NT. Picture: DVIDS

The activity saw the US aircraft integrate with the Australian Army and US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRFD) for highly advanced training including the execution of long-range strikes.

The bomber task force’s commander Lt. Col. Christopher Conant said: “We are sharpening our lethality while strengthening relationships with key allies, partners and our sister service teammates.”

US Marine Corps 1st Lt. Harrison Zhu relays a target grid to a B-1B Lancer dropping inert ordnance in Nackeroo Airfield, Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory. Picture: Harrison Rakhshani

US Marine Corps Capt. Benjamin Hovies and Australian Army Sgt. Aaron Costas direct the flight path of a B-2 Spirit Bomber at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT. Picture: Harrison Rakhshani

Commanding officer of the US Marine Corps in Darwin Col. David Banning said the success of multinational co-ordination of this scale was a testament to the US-Australian alliance.

“MRF-D’s ability to integrate with our sister services located across the Indo-Pacific region and Australian Defence Force partners, speaks to our overall capacity to contribute to regional security,” he said.

“This unique training event has helped MRF-D demonstrate our capacity to co-ordinate actions across a wide area in a bilateral, joint environment.”

Craters left by inert ordnance through the feed of the RQ-21A Blackjack at Nackeroo Airfield, Bradshaw Field Training Area, NT. Picture: Harrison Rakhshani

While significant for the Marines, he said the incorporation of US bombers was also a major step for the US Air Force’s transition, which seeks to preposition bombers forward in the Indo-Pacific from a broad array of overseas locations with greater operational resiliency.

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The bombers participating in the NT exercise also conducted missions with the US Air Force in Japan.

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Originally published as US Air Force B-1B and B-2 stealth bombers fly strike exercises over the Top End