US Air Force’s B-1B Lancer bombers arrive in Singapore to conduct training mission

Asia-Pacific, News, US January 22, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Air Force assigned two B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft to Singapore to conduct air-to-air refueling training missions with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The B-1B heavy bombers assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, January 18, 2024.

The U.S. supersonic strategic aircraft arrived in Singapore as part of the Air Force’s regular training and engagements with key partners in the region. While in Singapore, the B-1B Lancers will conduct training with Singapore Air Force’s A330 Multi-Role Tanker military transport aircraft.

The B-1B multi-mission aircraft is the backbone of the U.S. long-range bomber force. It is capable of carrying the largest conventional payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the American Air Force inventory. The aircraft can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against adversaries.

The B-1B long-range heavy bomber is 146 feet (44.5 meters) in length and 34 feet (10.4 meters) in height. It can carry 75,000 pounds (34,019 kilograms) of payload and has a speed of 900-plus mph (Mach 1.2 at sea level). The aircraft is operated by a crew of four including the aircraft commander, copilot, and two combat systems officers.

U.S. B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft — ^{A B-1B Lancer drops back after air refueling training as part of the Pacific Command’s continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (Image Credit: United States Air Force/Staff Sgt. Bennie J. Davis III)}

In December 2023, the U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) with its Carrier Strike Group 1 visited the Singapore port. While in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group conducted operations in the South China Sea as part of the routine presence.

Last year the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs announced U.S. plans to enhance its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. Since then, the U.S. has paced efforts to improve military ties and enhance training missions with regional partners, including Singapore.

Singapore is on course to modernize its military while particularly focusing on aerial defense as part of the Vision 2040 roadmap. Apart from upgrading its fleet of aerial combat aircraft, the Singapore Armed Forces also plans to upgrade its training with virtual reality technology and a new digital range.

Singapore currently has five established airports and air bases on its 280-square-mile main island, with a smaller emergency landing strip on one of its smaller offshore islands. The Republic of Singapore Air Force currently operates a fleet of 60 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets with some older generation F-35B jets.