Here's a link to a New York Times article. The headline reads: Guam, Hurt by Slump, Hopes for Economic Help From Military
Here's a quote: " And in February, people in Guam welcomed the news that the Pentagon was going to send 12 B-52 bombers and 12 B-1 bombers here." Seems like the PR people there are working fulltime.
New York Times article about Guam
Just an amusing story re: B-52s:
Back when I was paid to wear green, I suffered an injury which called for treatment at a more capable hospital than was on my base. The nearest appropriate facility was at an Air Force Base, home of a B-52 Bomb Group, to which I was hauled by helicopter. The hospital was close to the runway. A couple days into my recuperation, I was alert and aware enough to notice, in the middle of the night, the sound of sirens and klaxons all over the place. The PA system was blaring something like "All Flightline Personnel to The Flightline. This is a Group Scramble" over and over. A distant, low hum quickly became a louder and louder whine, then a deafening scream, then wave after wave after wave of building-shaking thunder, fluttering curtains and rattling stuff on counters and in shelves in the ward. The air was thick with the smell of kerosene exhaust. In a few moments, it became quiet once more, and a flashlight-equipped orderly was making bedchecks. He got to mine, and asked if I was OK, or if I wanted anything. I said "Damn! I'm glad that's over". He laughed and said "Oh, no it ain't ... they have to come back".
timber
Reminds me of my stay in the VA hospital (long after active duty), which overlooks both Kirtland AFT and civil runways. Watching their fighters (how would I know what kind?) take off was high entertainment, especially at night.
I would imagine some hotshot bomber pilot, and his immediate superior, sincerely regret the incident. There may well have been some "Collateral Damage" to their Air Force carreers.
timber
a squadron of f-16 fighting falcons arrived on guam this thursday "to bolster our defensive posture in the pacific" according to the air force spokesperson. the n. korean situation seems to be heating up.
Now THAT situation worries me.
What is most important is how much that worries NK. All in all, it is merely a gesture. I imagine Kim and crew will notice. They maye be expected to wave back ... gestures are a rich, fascinating language of their own, though it should be borne in mind that different gestures mean different things to different cultures.
two japanese naval ships the asayuki and sirayuki have also arrived for training purposes. my, my we are getting quite popular.
NK naturaly studies the attack on Iraq closely, and no doubt perceives in the current relative lull in those proceedings a "Window of opportunity" in which to gather herself a bit of attention. A long-range missile test is probably her next move, though she could begin reprocessing nuclear fuel. Japan's launch of her domestic orbital system may factor in the mix. A certainty is additional rhetoric ratchet from all parties.
Oh, I don't like this at all!
I don't want to alarm you pueo, but I think that the only reason that you guys have the planes within flying distance of NK is that there's a shootin' war planned.
Prior to the Aghanistan War:
Quote:Under the orders, according to these sources, some B-52 heavy bombers, capable of firing cruise missiles, will likely move to a joint U.S.-British base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean
Deployment of US forces
it's confirmed now, but only six?
bombs away
True. Six represents about 1/7th of the operational fleet at present. Not sure just how many B-52s you WOULD need to 'bomb 'em back into the Stone Age', but a few fly-bys would remind the Nth Koreans that no-one's invulnerable.
They may also be thinking of dropping a few on the Japanese. Don't forget they did try to kill Bush's Pa once!
