Winter Deployment

Members of the 28th Maintenance Group fight the South Dakota elements to de-ice a B-1 recently, as part of the 37th Bomb Squadron's deployment to Southwest Asia. The deployment package, composed of more than 200 Airmen, is supporting the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing with aircraft, aircrew, maintainers and other expeditionary combat support Airmen.(US Air Force Photo / Senior Airman Benjamin Tallman)

37th Bomb Squadron deploys from Ellsworth

Published Jan. 22, 2008
By Senior Airman Joshua Stevens
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing deployed for a six-month tour to Southwest Asia, Jan. 21, in support of military operations being conducted in various locations worldwide.

"We are supporting the global war on terror and defending America against attack," said Maj. Norman Shelton, 37th Bomb Squadron B-1 pilot.

The deployment package, composed of more than 200 Airmen, is supporting the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing with aircraft, aircrew, maintainers and other expeditionary combat support Airmen.

Airmen are not without sacrifice when deploying.

I don't like leaving my family, but at the end of the day, it's my duty to my country, said Staff Sgt. Wanda Beatty, 37th BS supply specialist.

The B-1 is an integral component of the Air Force's objective.

The support package ensures deployed B-1s can continue their mission of providing the theater commander with critical, long-range strike capability. The B-1's unique ability to rapidly deliver massive quantities of munitions to adversaries helps accomplish the Air Force mission anywhere in the world, at any time.