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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. – A handful of B-52H Stratofortresses from the 23rd Bomb Squadron and more than 400 Airmen from Minot Air Force Base deployed in early March to the Middle East, in support of U.S. Central Command’s Operation Inherent Resolve.
This is the first time in 12 years aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing have deployed in support of combat operations.
In addition to the operators of the 23rd Bomb Squadron, a wide variety of base organizations will work in tandem to meet the requirements for the deployment, to include the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 5th Munitions Squadron, the 5th Maintenance Squadron and the 5th Operations Support Squadron.
The 23rd Bomb Squadron will be leading the 5th Bomb Wing, flying the wing’s first combat operations out of the Middle East, where they are slated to swap Airmen and aircraft with the 69th Bomb Squadron later on this year.
“The Bomber Barons are 100 percent ready,” said Lt Col Michael Maginness, 23rd Bomb Squadron commander. “Over the last six months they have become experts in the mission sets they can expect to execute downrange.”
This deployment demonstrates continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the Middle East.