OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Boeing said that, 27 years after the aircraft was made part of the U.S. Air Force fleet, the B-1 bomber has completed its 10,000th combat mission.
The B-1 was designed as a replacement for the B-52 and entered the Air Force in June 1985. Boeing announced on Monday that the aircraft reached the 10,000th combat mission milestone.
Boeing B-1 Program Director Rick Greenwell said: "10,000 conventional combat missions for a relatively small fleet of 66 B-1s is a major milestone and a testament to the men and women who built, sustain and modernize the fleet, including the U.S. Air Force, Boeing and our subcontractors.
"We continue to draw on expertise and experience from across Boeing to enhance our support of this amazing aircraft."
The milestone mission launched from an unnamed airbase in southwestern Asia and was flown in support of operations over Afghanistan.
"The B-1 brings tremendous flexibility to our nation's defense," said mission team lead Lt. Col. Alejandro Gomez. "In any mission, the B-1 has the ability to loiter, dash, positively identify targets, show force and strike targets precisely.
"Whatever our aircrews are asked to do, they can perform with this aircraft."
