Maj. William “Sunshine” Pugh of Dyess AFB spoke to a combined meeting on Thursday of the Snyder Rotary, Lions and Kiwanis Clubs.
Pugh possesses special knowledge of the capabilities and weaponry of the large bombers, specifically the B-1, and he relayed some of that information at the meeting.
The B-1 Bomber carries a crew of four, two pilots and two weapons officers. The plane carries its own power plant and has an un-refuel distance of 4,400 nautical miles. It has unlimited distance capabilities when refueled in the air.
It possessed a state-of-the-art defensive system called ACQ-161. A unique part of which is the Towed Decoy System that increases missile distance by “decoying” enemy missiles away from the B-1. Each bomber can carry up to eight decoys and the system has been combat proven.
The B-1 Bomber deploys three different types of weapons that can either be fired at three different targets or all three weapons at one target.
Scurry County is home to the AHNTECH facility that is commonly referred to as “backyard air space” for Dyess AFB.
Backyard air space has the benefit of eliminating long distance flying to Utah and Nevada.
The bombers are often seen doing maneuvers over Snyder as training for warfare. The Snyder ESS sight is housed at Winston Field and allows for electronic training by simulating weapons delivery and it is conducted both day and night.
The combined clubs again will host representatives from Dyess at the March 25 meeting. TSGT James Musgrove, Range Liaison Officer will be the keynote speaker along with public affairs officer Lt. Jennifer Donovan.