Dyess B-1s take fight to enemy

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Joel Langton
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A pair of B-1B Lancers, four F-16 Fighting Falcons and coalition troops helped clear out an Al Qaeda stronghold from near Baghdad Thursday morning as the planes dropped more than 45,000 pounds of bombs on a former Al Qaeda safe haven. 

The US Central Command Air Force bomber and fighter aircraft, from the 379th and 332nd Air Expeditionary Wings respectively, teamed up with the U.S. Army's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, as part of an operation named "Marne Thunderbolt".
"MarneThunderbolt" is part of "Operation Phantom Phoenix", an overarching operation to defeat extremism throughout Iraq. The operation is focused on pursuing the enemy and clearing Al-Qaeda from the country. 

The B-1 crew measures the mission impact in very simple terms; 

"Knowing that we're directly helping the guys on the ground is the most rewarding thing," said Lt. Col. Mike Eliason, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander. "When the Air Force and Army team up, it nearly guarantees the joint commander success." 

One of the keys to the operation's success has been the Army and Air Force members integrating their efforts as they coordinate to bring peace to the tumultuous region.
For Colonel Eliason, who commanded the mission's lead aircraft, it was getting back to the basics. "This was bomb-dropping 101," he said. 

Colonel Eliason said it wasn't just a matter of Air Force and Army working seamlessly, but all parts of the Air Force community coming together. "Today's mission reflects the truly integrated operations between the Air Force's fighter, bomber and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities." 

It took a bit more than ten minutes for bomber crews to decimate the former Al Qaeda stronghold. 

"We had targets to hit when we left the squadron," said Capt. Frank Scaglione, weapon system officer on the lead bomber. "Normally, we don't have targets assigned before takeoff, but today we did." 

Often, the bombers loiter overhead in areas of responsibility, coordinating efforts with troops engaged in combat. Wednesday's mission required meticulous mission-planning to ensure not only its success but to minimize collateral damage. 

Colonel Eliason's definition of success is echoed by the munitions specialists who prepped the one-way cargo for the mission. 

"It gives you a chill when you know the product you're making is going to be delivered to the enemy," said Staff Sgt. Michael Maranda, a conventional maintenance munitions crew chief. Sergeant Maranda leads a team of eight munitions specialists who build the munitions for the B-1 missions. 

Although flying high-profile missions is typical for Colonel Eliason, it isn't something he takes for granted. "I've had the dream shot sorties," he said, referring to the mission he flew that kicked off Operation Enduring Freedom and drove the Taliban from Afghanistan, "but what's important is we're making a difference every day and saving lives on the ground."