Congratulations to the USAF's 9th Bomb Squadron

In a display of tremendous efficiency and mutual support, the USAF's 9th Bomb Squadron dispatched nine B-1 Lancer bombers, their air- and ground crew, and support infrastructure to Afghanistan in a recent deployment.  Dyess AFB reports:

The Airmen of the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and 9th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit provided more than 25 percent of the total fixed-wing close-air support coverage for coalition ground forces in Afghanistan every day by launching the most B-1 sorties executed on a single deployment in more than 10 years of sustained conflict.

Over the course of the six-plus month deployment, the squadron flew more than 770 combat sorties, encompassing over 9,500 hours, to provide 24 hours of coverage every day.

They also responded to more than 500 troops-in-contact situations, with the enemy as close as 300 meters from friendly forces, and another 700 priority air requests, delivering more than 400 weapons on target.

"We were able to achieve these great stats through pure hard work," said Lt. Col. Matthew Brooks, 9th Bomb Squadron commander. "Our squadron flew 130 more sorties than any B-1 squadron had flown in any other six month deployment. You don't accomplish this by luck. It's pure hard work and dedication from the aircraft maintainers, weapon builders and load crews, B-1 aviators, and the rest of the 7th Bomb Wing who deployed with us."

. . .

"There wasn't a single moment during our deployment that we did not have a B-1 in the air over Afghanistan," Brooks said. "It's really hard to put it in words how proud I am of these Airmen. Despite extremely difficult conditions both on the flightline and in the air, they gave everything they had to support the mission. I'm honored to have served with them."

There's more at the link.  Bold print is my emphasis.

Of course, the 9th Bomb Squadron has had a lot of experience in the Afghanistan theater of operations.  Here's a USAF video report from 2007, showing something of their operations during that period.

Congratulations to the 9th Bomb Squadron on an amazing feat.  I haven't heard that any other squadron (or detachment of similar size) has been able to match this during the entire Afghanistan war.  To have a plane in the air 24/7, for a full deployment, available to support Allied forces on demand, is a heck of an achievement.

Peter