Lancer in flight

FILE PHOTO -- Carrying the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Rose Reynolds)

Sunny California

OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- A B-1B Lancer flies a test mission. The B-1B is a long-range strategic bomber, capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling, then penetrating present and future sophisticated enemy defenses. It can perform a variety of missions, including that of a conventional weapons carrier for theater operations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Borosch)

Reconfiguring

ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England -- A munitions load crew places a conventional module bomb rack onto a B-1B Lancer long-range strategic bomber here. B-1B Lancers and support personnel from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., are deployed supporting Operation Allied Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Randy Mallard)

Duo Lancers

OVER WYOMING -- The B-1B is a long-range strategic bomber, capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling, then penetrating present and future sophisticated enemy defenses. It can perform a variety of missions, including that of a conventional weapons carrier for theater operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Thurow)

Low pass

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- A B-1B Lancer performs a low-level fly-by for troops deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom on Oct. 27. The B-1B's three internal weapons bays can accommodate up to 84 MK-82 general purpose bombs or MK-62 naval mines, 30 CBU-87/89 cluster munitions or CBU-97 Sensor Fused Weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rebeca M. Luquin)

Freedom run

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- An Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing at Diego Garcia takes off for a combat mission Oct. 23 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Air Force B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 aircraft have expended more than 80 percent of the tonnage dropped on combat missions over Afghanistan. The Air Force has flown more than 600 sorties including strike missions against al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Afghanistan. These targets include early warning radars, ground forces, command and control facilities, al Qaeda infrastructure, airfields and aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Cuomo)