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Regional Response Forces :: VALIANT
SHIELD: GREEN LIGHTNING: Providing Security in the Asia-Pacific Region
Transnational Operations :: U.S. Rewards Program-Philippines:Deterring Terrorism and Saving Lives KHAAN QUEST
2006:
Humanitarian Support :: USNS Mercy Bringing Hope to Asia-Pacific Nations C-17 Aircraft Marking A New Airlift Era in the Pacific New Zealand Defence Force Providing Security and Reconstruction in Afghanistan From BALIKATAN to Mudslide Relief
Happenings :: |
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GREEN LIGHTNING: The U.S. Air Force completed its first B-2 Spirit bomber deployment to Australia in July 2006 during Exercise GREEN LIGHTNING. Designed to improve Australian-U.S. capabilities and operational familiarity in the region for the U.S. Pacific bomber presence, the exercise strengthens the shared commitment of both nations to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. As part of that commitment, U.S. bombers have been moving into the Western Pacific for more than two years as the U.S. Pacific Command adjusts its force posture to maintain a deterrent capability. “The rotational bomber presence is aimed at enhancing regional security, demonstrating U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific, and providing integrated training opportunities,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Wheeler. “U.S. bombers working side by side with our Australian counterparts provide both nations armed forces opportunity to build on that shared commitment.” GREEN LIGHTNING is the result of a November 2005 Australia-U.S. agreement under which the U.S. Air Force would begin regular strategic bomber training in Australia’s Northern Territory in 2006. The strategic bomber training program would involve B-1, B-52, and B-2 bomber aircraft flying from the U.S. and conducting operations at the Delamere Air Weapons Range situated about 130 kilometers south-west of Katherine in the Northern Territory. The July 2006 exercise featured training sorties on Australia’s Delamere Air Weapons Range and a B-2 engine running crew change at Royal Australian Air Force Base in Darwin, Australia. It also featured U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers supported by KC-10 air refuelers from the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command. Both units are deployed to Andersen Air Force Base in the U.S. Territory of Guam, where they provide the U.S. Pacific Command a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. During GREEN LIGHTNING, two B-2 bombers flew from Darwin to the Delamere Training Range. The range provides instant electronic feedback on tactics and procedures in conducting operations over the range. “The range facility in Australia’s Northern Territory allows many skills to be honed and tested – no other range in the Pacific provides such facilities,” noted Col. Wheeler. “[U.S.] bombers deployed to the Pacific will now be able to get training they would not have been able to get before now.” “I think you can be confident U.S. bombers learned a lot from working in the Australian range and will continue to build on the great relationship between our countries,” said Col. Wheeler. “We ensure our pilots maintain their combat skills in a stressful environment and benefit from being able to exercise with the Australian Defence Force.” “Sharing training facilities with the Australians greatly enhances our ability to simulate combat conditions,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Eldridge. “During a recent [exercise] at Nellis AFB, Nevada, USA, Royal Australian Air Force aircraft exercised with our B-2s in a similar fashion to what we hope to do in the future in Australia’s training ranges.” “Exercises like [GREEN LIGHTNING] underline the continuing importance of the Australia-U.S. alliance as an anchor of regional security in the Asia-Pacific region,” noted Col. Wheeler. “This benefits both nations and will greatly improve our strategic interoperability.” Dr. Brendan Nelson, Australian Minister for Defence, agreed. “A key component of our strong defence relationship with the United States is our ongoing combined training program,” he said. “Training and exercising with the world’s most technologically advanced armed forces provide many benefits to the Australian Defence Force which cannot be obtained through other means.” Australia and the U.S. maintain a close alliance and a shared commitment to ensure security in the Asia-Pacific region. GREEN LIGHTNING supports that commitment through a continuous U.S. Air Force bomber presence in the region, the integration of Australian and U.S. air forces, and effective training that helps improve the capabilities of both forces.
E-mail: apdforum@apan-info.net
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