Farewell Fiesta for 36 EAMXS/69th EBS

The USO Guam hosted a “Farewell Fiesta” for members of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. The group which operates and maintains the B-52 Stratofortress completed a six-month deployment to Andersen Air Force Base from Minot, North Dakota. The B-52’s have been serving nonstop rotations for nearly a decade between bomber squadrons from Minot, ND and Barksdale, LA.

The B-1B Lancer replaced the B-52 in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence Mission in early August.

After leaving Guam, the B-52 squadron will begin to serve in the Middle East for the first time since the Gulf War ended. The U.S. Air Force Central Command said in a statement that an unknown number of B-52s will be based at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

“The B-52 will provide the Coalition continued precision and deliver desired airpower effects,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command and Combined Forces Air Component.

Lt. Brown also indicated the B-52 bombers could be ready to bomb elsewhere in the Middle East should the need arise.

Thank you to our amazing volunteers: Ray, Shonda, Laura, and Kyle - for all of your support this evening!