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During the exercises B-1B crews worked in cooperation with JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) on the ground. There were JTACs from the U.S., Poland, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. Captain “Jackal” explains the communication between aircraft and the JTACs on the ground: “For us it was really awesome to work with these ground troops. Despite the language barrier between the controllers and us. Because we are very experienced to work together with JTACs of the coalition in the Middle East, it is no problem to work with these guys.” The BONE crews are used to working with foreign ground operatives, but sometimes there was a small language, or capability knowledge gap because the JTACs didn’t know the B-1B Lancer's capabilities. For many of the controllers it was the first time that they were working together with the B-B Lancers. For both sides this was the main reason the exercises were invaluable.
Interception by Russian SU-27s
During these exercises the bombers were intercepted by Russian SU-27s. Capt. “Jackal” recounted: “The Russian SU-27s were flying around us, but for the most part they were completely safe intercepts.” "Jackal" continued, “As crew of the B-1B Lancers it was important to keep flying our own mission, but the SU-27s didn’t really bother us.” "Jackal" also mentioned that the B-1B Lancers and the SU-27s flew side by side, without any problems.
RESERVISTS that are flying on the B-1B Lancer
There is something very unique about the participation of the B-1B bombers - they are flown and maintained by reservists. Reserves integrate with active duty personnel, and share aircraft to better utilize expensive assets. The U.S.A.F does this with almost all the older airframes within the Reserve Component and the Air National Guard Component as well. Some people in the squadron work full time and they keep up the currencies on the type and will be able to fly with other crews that serve one or twice a month.
Maintenance of the B-1B Lancer
Exercises like BALTOPS and Sabre Strike are as essential for ground crews as they are for air crews. The maintainers are able to leverage each exercise as a unique learning experience. This includes extensive planning and a keen understanding of the needs of the mission and any limitations or challenges of the air base in which they will be deployed in order to bring the right equipment for the duration of the exercise.
For the maintainers, bringing the proper tools and parts with them when they leave on deployment is essential. It could take days, or even weeks, for parts to arrive, which could result in a loss in mission readiness. Since the B-1B is a unique and older aircraft, and a lot of the parts are not manufactured anymore, squadrons use refurbished parts from the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Tucson, Arizona.