B-1's to Remain with Ga ANG??

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Otto

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I read a few months ago that the powers at be decided the 116th BW (Ga ANG) out of Robins AFB was going to lose thier B-1's. Anybody know if this is still true or are they still fighting it?? If not B-1's, what will they fly? JSTARS? I'm in need of a rumor mill update. :)
 
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Kaman

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USAF Manned Bomber Force

Hi Guys,
From everything that I've read, the USAF plans to withdraw approximately 33 B-1Bs from the active force, including all the ANG aircraft. The remaining airframes will be concentrated at Dyess and Ellsworth AFB. The B-1B squadron at Mountain Home is also scheduled to be deactivated.
The remaining force of B-52H airframes will also remain stable at current force levels, whether or not the AFRES continues to fly them, I've not heard thus far. The B-52 is still the preeminent conventional weapons delivery platform for the USAF. The B-2 is basically a "silver bullet" designed to deliever JDAMs precision munitions. Current SecDef Rumsfled is in favor of retiring the entire fleet of "Bones" and buying more B-2s.

Regards,


P.S. I read recently that the retired E-18 ARIA aircraft are going to be modified into J-STARS? Have you heard what the final force number is going to be? USAF wanted 21, but was forced to settle for 13 under Pres. Clinton. J-STARS equipped with SAR is about the best thing for the type of warfare we are currently engaged in for detecting movement(s) of pers, armor, etc...
 
ryanh9

ryanh9

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The AF is still going forward with the consolidation of B-1s from Mountain Home, Kansas Guard, & Georgia Guard from what I've heard. The KANG is going to tankers & the GANG is going to JSTARS. I haven't talked to anyone at the KANG but I have a friend at the GANG that said yes it will happen in about a year.

"Current SecDef Rumsfled is in favor of retiring the entire fleet of "Bones" and buying more B-2s." I have heard the rumor about buying more B-2s but the rumor about getting ride of all the B-1s is way out in left field. I don't know where you got that. It may happen in 5-10 years but nothing official or unoffical has come out to my knowledge about the whole fleet going away.

"The B-52 is still the preeminent conventional weapons delivery platform for the USAF." Lets just say I disagree with this statement. The B-52 is a great workhorse but the B-1 does have advantages over the B-52. All the former B-52 guys that are now flying the B-1 enjoy the B-1 much better. I know that has nothing to do with which bomber is better but I think each bomber (B-1, B-2, & B-52 has its strengths & weaknesses).
 
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