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Exercise Koa Lightning

Exercise Koa Lightning tested US capabilities and provided operational familiarity for the Pacific bomber presence in the region. The missions provided a unique training opportunity to thoroughly integrate bombers into Pacific Command's (PACOM) joint and coalition exercises.

In October 2005, 4 B-1B Lancers from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron participated in Exercise Koa Lightning, continuing their mission of providing global strike capabilities for Pacific Air Forces and PACOM. Exercise preparations began 3 weeks prior to the start date, with 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron members working with the Kenney Warfighting Headquarters in Hawaii to reserve tanker support and airspace, and coordinate flight plans over Hawaii. During the exercise, the B-1s dropped inert weapons and worked close air support on the island of Oahu, coordinating with Joint Tactical Air Controllers from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron. During the exercise pilots had the opportunity for 2 aircraft to work simultaneously with one controller on the ground. Working in this configuration provided the pilots training on how to limit radio traffic so as to not "step on each other" (cut each other off) and provided the controllers training on how to effectively coordinate two aircraft supporting the one controller.

In early 2007, B-52s from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron conducted sorties as part of Exercise Koa Lightning. Flying the extended missions from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to training sites in Hawaii allowed the aircrews to hone skills in close-air support and dissimilar-aircraft combat training. During some of the 18-hour round trip missions, a single group of fighter aircraft would practice escorting the B-52s while another group of aircraft would practice intercepting the incoming bombers.

B-52 Stratofortresses and aircrews demonstrated the Air Force's global reach and global power by participating in a Koa Lightning exercise held between 21 and 23 August 2007 from Andersen Air Force Base. Airmen of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, flew 18 hours non-stop from Guam to Hawaii and back in the exercise to participate in scenarios designed to sharpen the combat skills and test the endurance of its aircrews. The bombers were supported by KC-135 tankers. The flights, similar to a combat sortie, included a scenario where aircrews simulated engaging ground targets in Hawaii. The aircrews practiced defensive tactics and measures while simulating dropping their bombs on target.

In October 2007, tactical air control party (TACP) members from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron practiced and honed their skills calling in air strikes for B-2 Spirit stealth bombers during a week long training session as part of Exercise Koa Lightning. During the exercise, B-2's flew from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam pair up with the TACPs over Hawaii to practice targeting and shaping the battlefield. This training was critical to the Air Force's ability to rapidly support ground troops in combat.

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron simulated attacking naval vessels in their home port while over Hawaii on 15 November 2007 during a Koa Lightning global power training. These sorties, which were well over 20 hours in duration, touted the Air Force's unique capability to send long range bombers over any target, anywhere in the world, at any time.