Boeing B-1B Lancer

The B-1 Lancer is the backbone of America's long-range strategic bombing force, providing massive and rapid delivery of precision and non-precision weapons. Developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the B-52, the first B-1 bomber was not used in combat until Operation Desert Fox in December 1998. In 1999, six B-1s were used in Operation Allied Force, delivering more than 20 percent of the total ordnance while flying less than 2 percent of the combat sorties. Eight B-1s were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and dropped nearly 40 percent of the total tonnage during the first six months of the operation.

The B-1 did not arrive at Robins AFB until 1996, when the Air National Guard's 116th Bomb Wing (BW) relocated from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia to Robins AFB. The largest of the Guard's wings, the 116 BW was only the second Air National Guard in the nation to receive the B-1. The 116 BW mobilizes for national emergency or war and augments regular forces. Throughout its history, the 116 BW has been involved in every major conflict including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. In peacetime, the wing provides relief in the event of natural disasters or calamity and maintains peace and public order.

The B-1B Lancer, serial number 83-0069, was the sixth B-1 produced and delivered to the 96th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB Texas on March 13, 1986. Originally given the name Silent Penetrator, 83-0069 was later named Rebel and painted with nose art from a WWII B-29 of the 497 Bomb Group. 83-0069 arrived at Robins Air Force Base in September 2002 from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. As of May 31, 1992, the aircraft had accumulated 1393. 0 flight hours.