Bush orders B-1s to deploy for "war"

Crews and B-1B aircraft from the 366th Wing's 34th Bomb Squadron received deployment orders for the war against terrorism last week.

Col. Irving L. Halter, the wing commander at Mountain Home AFB, confirmed last week that the bomber squadron had been given deployment orders, but for operational security reasons declined to state how many planes, how many air and ground support crews would be leaving, or when they were actually taking off, although it is believed all that were being deployed were gone by the weekend.

The location to which the squadron would be deploying, even the command under which they would be serving, also was considered classified.

Historically, such a deployment would typically involve several hundred troops. Base personnel off-base were unusually tight-lipped about the deployment.

Although most observers believe the unit has been sent somewhere to the Mideast, the strategic range of the bombers could conceivably allow it to be deployed outside the region and still be able to strike targets in any of the nations, including Afghanistan, where the United States is considering military action against terrorist targets.

The 366th Wing is one of two rapid-reaction forces of the United States Air Force, which share being "on call" in 120-day rotations. The wing went on call Aug. 1.

Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on America the wing went to the highest state of alert and air crews began exercising at what appeared to be a stepped up tempo.

In the days immediately following the attack planes could often been heard flying through the grey clouds over Mountain Home. During Halter's press conference last Thursday, held outside the gate for security reasons, several B-1s could be seen flying training exercises in the background.

The local B-1s that got the call last week did so along with most of the other B-1 Lancer units in the country. Ironically, less than two months ago, the Air Force had proposed a plan to cut the B-1 fleet by about one-third, in part because of the low operational readiness status of the often underfunded aircraft.

But peacetime operational readiness states are usually much lower than wartime standards, and Halter, who declined to say if any of the squadron's planes would be left behind due to parts shortages or maintenance problems, stressed that "the thing we have been tasked for we will be capable of accomplishing."

He said the remainder of the wing would continue its normal "on-call" operations until it is needed. All base personnel however were standing by their phones last week in anticipation of possible deployment orders.

"We're here to be used in whole or in part as the National Command Authority (the president) directs," Halter said. Halter said he had a sense of pride in the men and women deploying to fight America's newest war. "This is part and parcel of the job. They are very well trained," he said.

Halter urged the local community to continue its support of the troops at the airbase.

"We see the signs and flags (in town) and we have received many specific offers of assistance for the families of the deployed troops. We will use those offers as needed.

"Beyond that, keep up what you are doing with your hopes and prayers," he said, thanking the community for its support. The wing also immediately activated its support programs for the families of the deployed troops, a process that has been refined by years of deployments.

Monday, the base reduced its Force Protection Condition to FPCon Bravo, but at the gate there will be few apparent changes from the higher alert status conditions last week. Identification checks are being made of every vehicle entering the base and delays at the gate can run up to an hour.

Both of Idaho's senators, Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, and Second District Congressman Mike Crapo all issued statements praising the aircrews being deployed.

Craig noted that "the terrible events of last Tuesday have called Idaho's finest to execute the job thay have been trained to do -- defend our nation and our individual freedoms from threat. My thoughs and prayers are with the pilots and crew who are leaving behind families, friends and loved ones to answer their call to duty."

Crapo also said last week that "our prayers are behind Idaho's servicemen and women heading into likely combat tonight from Mountain Home. We have maintained all along how important the role of B-1 bomber is to our national defense, and it is not a surprise Idaho's finest are among those on the front line of the defense.

"While our wishes are with those called to the Middle East, we also take a moment and think of the families, the wives, children or husbands they leave behind. Let us hope this mission is a safe one...."

Simpson said that "I have come to know that the airmen and women serving at Mountain Home AFB are among our nation's best and brightest. I am given great comfort knowing that the men and women who call MHAFB home will be defending freedom, protecting our nation's interests, and rooting our terrorism as part of Operation Infinite Justice.

"As these courageous individuals depart for places yet to be announced, I want them to know the people of Idaho are forever proud of them and will keep them in their thoughts and prayers every single day."