Editing Rockwell B-1 Lancer (section)

==Operational history==

===Strategic Air Command===
The second B-1B, "The Star of Abilene", was the first B-1B delivered to SAC in June 1985. Initial operational capability was reached on 1 October 1986 and the B-1B was placed on nuclear alert status.<ref>{{harvnb|Pace|1998|pp=62, 69.}}</ref><ref name=Jenkins_p83>{{harvnb|Jenkins|1999|p=83.}}</ref> The B-1 received the official name "Lancer" on 15 March 1990. However, the bomber has been commonly called the "Bone"; a nickname that appears to stem from an early newspaper article on the aircraft wherein its name was phonetically spelled out as "B-ONE" with the hyphen inadvertently omitted.<ref name= Jenkins_p67>{{harvnb|Jenkins|1999|p=67.}}</ref>

[[File:Decommissioned B-1 Bomber Travels Along I-5 (6327003326).jpg|thumb|left|A dismantled decommissioned B-1 being transported by flatbed truck]]
In late 1990, engine fires in two Lancers led to a grounding of the fleet. The cause was traced back to problems in the first-stage fan, and the aircraft were placed on "limited alert"; in other words, they were grounded unless a nuclear war broke out. Following inspections and repairs they were returned to duty beginning on 6 February 1991.<ref name=Jenkins_p116>{{harvnb|Jenkins|1999|p=116.}}</ref><ref>B-1 aircrew logbook entry.</ref> By 1991, the B-1 had a fledgling conventional capability, forty of them able to drop the {{convert|500|lb|adj=on}} Mk-82 General Purpose (GP) bomb, although mostly from low altitude. Despite being cleared for this role, the problems with the engines prevented their use in [[Operation Desert Storm]] during the [[Gulf War]].<ref name="dao 1"/><ref name="Withington p. 10"/> B-1s were primarily reserved for strategic nuclear strike missions at this time, providing the role of airborne nuclear deterrent against the Soviet Union.<ref name="Withington p. 10">{{harvnb|Withington|2006|p=10.}}</ref> The B-52 was more suited to the role of conventional warfare and it was used by coalition forces instead.<ref name="Withington p. 10"/>

Originally designed strictly for nuclear war, the B-1's development as an effective conventional bomber was delayed. The collapse of the Soviet Union had brought the B-1's nuclear role into question, leading to President [[George H. W. Bush]] ordering a $3 billion conventional refit.<ref name="dao 4">Dao 2001, p. 4.</ref>

On 26 April 1991, ten B-1Bs narrowly avoided being hit by the [[1991 Andover tornado]] while located at [[McConnell AFB]], which took a direct hit. Two of the bombers were equipped with nuclear warheads.<ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Timeline for supercell that produced the Wichita/Andover Tornado |url=https://www.weather.gov/ict/andovertimeline |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=US Department of Commerce |first=NOAA |title=Top Ten KS Tornadoes |url=https://www.weather.gov/ict/toptenkstors |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=www.weather.gov |language=EN-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Laura |date=April 26, 2024 |title=Remembering the deadly 1991 Andover tornado |url=https://www.ksn.com/weather/weather-stories/monday-marks-30-years-since-deadly-andover-tornado/#:~:text=It%20destroyed%20102%20base%20housing,had%20nuclear%20warheads%20on%20them. |access-date=November 20, 2024 |website=KSN}}</ref>

After the inactivation of SAC and the establishment of the [[Air Combat Command]] (ACC) in 1992, the B-1 developed a greater conventional weapons capability. Part of this development was the start-up of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School B-1 Division.<ref>Scott, Ed. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121105211815/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-78360407.html "JDAM Course Ushers B-1 Students Into New Era".] ''Program Manager'', 1 November 1999. Retrieved 14 August 2010.</ref> In 1994, two additional B-1 bomb wings were also created in the [[Air National Guard]], with former fighter wings in the [[Kansas Air National Guard]] and the [[Georgia Air National Guard]] converting to the aircraft.<ref name="Withington p. 11">{{harvnb|Withington|2006|p=11.}}</ref> By the mid-1990s, the B-1 could employ GP weapons as well as various CBUs. By the end of the 1990s, with the advent of the "Block D" upgrade, the B-1 boasted a full array of guided and unguided munitions.

The B-1B no longer carries nuclear weapons;<ref name="lee p.13"/> its nuclear capability was disabled by 1995 with the removal of nuclear arming and fuzing hardware.<ref name=Jenkins_p141>{{harvnb|Jenkins|1999|p=141.}}</ref> Under provisions of the [[New START]] treaty with Russia, further conversions were performed. These included modification of aircraft hardpoints to prevent nuclear weapon pylons from being attached, removal of weapons bay wiring bundles for arming nuclear weapons, and destruction of nuclear weapon pylons. The conversion process was completed in 2011, and Russian officials inspect the aircraft every year to verify compliance.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pawlyk |first1=Oriana |title=START Lanced the B-1's Nukes, But the Bomber Will Still Get New Bombs |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/07/12/start-lanced-the-b-1s-nukes-but-bomber-will-still-get-new-bombs.html |website=Military.com |publisher=Military Advantage |access-date=25 September 2017 |archive-date=26 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926043006/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/07/12/start-lanced-the-b-1s-nukes-but-bomber-will-still-get-new-bombs.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Air Combat Command===
[[File:B1s.jpg|thumb|A B-1B with wings swept full forward |alt=Top forward view of gray aircraft with wings swept forward banking right. Underneath are strips of white clouds and uninhabited terrain.]]

The B-1 was first used in combat in support of operations in [[Iraq]] during [[Operation Desert Fox]] in December 1998, employing unguided GP weapons. B-1s have been subsequently used in [[Operation Allied Force]] (Kosovo) and, most notably, in [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Operation Enduring Freedom]] in Afghanistan and the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]].<ref name="lee p.13"/> The B-1 has deployed an array of conventional weapons in war zones, most notably the GBU-31, {{convert|2000|lb|adj=on}} JDAM.<ref name="lee p.13"/> In the first six months of Operation Enduring Freedom, eight B-1s dropped almost 40 percent of aerial ordnance, including some 3,900 JDAMs.<ref name="defensetech21feb14"/> JDAM munitions were heavily used by the B-1 over Iraq, notably on 7 April 2003 in an unsuccessful attempt to kill [[Saddam Hussein]] and his two sons.<ref>{{harvnb|Withington|2006|pp=75–76.}}</ref> During Operation Enduring Freedom, the B-1 was able to raise its [[availability|mission capable rate]] to 79%.<ref name=AF_sheet/>

Of the 100 B-1Bs built, 93 remained in 2000 after losses in accidents. In June 2001, the Pentagon sought to place one-third of its then fleet into storage; this proposal resulted in several U.S. Air National Guard officers and members of Congress lobbying against the proposal, including the drafting of an amendment to prevent such cuts.<ref name="dao 1"/> The 2001 proposal was intended to allow money to be diverted to further upgrades to the remaining B-1Bs, such as computer modernization.<ref name="dao 1"/> In 2003, accompanied by the removal of B-1Bs from the two bomb wings in the Air National Guard, the USAF decided to retire 33 aircraft to concentrate its budget on maintaining availability of remaining B-1Bs.<ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ADSB&s_site=azstarnet&f_site=azstarnet&f_sitename=Arizona+Daily+Star%2C+The+%28AZ%29&p_multi=ADSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F59D36BE743E3B9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "B-1 bomber's final flight."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609121810/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ADSB&s_site=azstarnet&f_site=azstarnet&f_sitename=Arizona+Daily+Star,+The+(AZ)&p_multi=ADSB&p_theme=gannett&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F59D36BE743E3B9&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=9 June 2011 }} ''Arizona Star'', 21 August 2002. Retrieved 14 August 2010.</ref> In 2004, a new [[appropriation bill]] called for some retired aircraft to return to service,<ref>Klamper, Amy. [http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0604/062504cdam1.htm "Lawmakers look after home military installations."] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828224859/http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0604/062504cdam1.htm |date=28 August 2008}} ''govexec.com'', 25 June 2004. Retrieved 31 July 2010.</ref> and the USAF returned seven mothballed bombers to service to increase the fleet to 67 aircraft.<ref name=AF_Alma_facts-figs_2005>Mehuron, Tamar A. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120706223323/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Magazine%20Documents/2005/May%202005/0505facts_figs.pdf "USAF Almanac: Facts and Figures" (data as of 30 September 2004).]}} ''Air Force Magazine'', May 2005. Retrieved 3 July 2011.</ref>

[[File:JDAM B-1B Lancer.jpg|thumb|left|Transferring a [[Joint Direct Attack Munition|GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition]] (JDAM) to a lift truck for loading onto a B-1B on 29 March 2007, in Southwest Asia |alt=Ammunition and yellow bombs lay as two crew member, using lift truck, transfer them to a gray B-1 parked nearby in the background]]
On 14 July 2007, the Associated Press reported on the growing USAF presence in Iraq, including reintroduction of B-1Bs as a close-at-hand platform to support Coalition ground forces.<ref name=AP_B-1_recall>Hanley, Charles J. [http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/15/2547 "Air Force Quietly Building Iraq Presence."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010094936/http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/15/2547 |date=10 October 2012}} ''commondreams.org'', 14 July 2007. Retrieved 30 June 2011.</ref> Beginning in 2008, B-1s were used in Iraq and Afghanistan in an "armed overwatch" role, loitering for surveillance purposes while ready to deliver guided bombs in support of ground troops as required.<ref>Wicke, Tech. Sgt. Russell, [https://www.acc.af.mil/News/story/id/123094826/ "B-1 performs as never envisioned after 20 years."]  ''US Air Force'', 17 April 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2009.</ref><ref name=Lancer_Force>Door 2010, pp. 40–45.</ref>

The B-1B underwent a series of flight tests using a 50/50 mix of synthetic and petroleum fuel; on 19 March 2008, a B-1B from [[Dyess Air Force Base]], Texas, became the first USAF aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using a [[synthetic fuel]] during a flight over Texas and [[New Mexico]]. This was conducted as part of an USAF testing and certification program to reduce reliance on traditional oil sources.<ref>Bates, Matthew. {{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123090913/ |title=B-1B achieves first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel|access-date=20 March 2008 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717105220/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123090913 |archive-date=17 July 2012}} ''Air Force News'', 20 March 2008.</ref> On 4 August 2008, a B-1B flew the first Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod equipped combat sortie where the crew successfully targeted enemy ground forces and dropped a GBU-38 guided bomb in Afghanistan.<ref name=Sniper_combat>Pate, Capt. Kristen. {{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/id/123110313/ |title=Sniper ATP-equipped B-1B has combat first. |access-date=16 September 2008 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121212203544/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123110313 |archive-date=12 December 2012}} ''US Air Force'', 11 August 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2009.</ref>

In March 2011, B-1Bs from [[Ellsworth Air Force Base]] attacked undisclosed targets in [[Libya]] as part of [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]].<ref>[http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_7477796e-5a81-11e0-b42d-001cc4c002e0.html "Ellsworth Airmen join Operation Odyssey Dawn."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402083439/http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/article_7477796e-5a81-11e0-b42d-001cc4c002e0.html |date=2 April 2011 }} ''Rapid City Journal'', 29 March 2011.</ref>

With upgrades to keep the B-1 viable, the USAF may keep it in service until approximately 2038.<ref>Hebert, Adam J. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090923015849/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2006/October%202006/10062018.aspx "The 2018 Bomber and Its Friends."]}} ''Air Force magazine'', October 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2010.</ref> Despite upgrades, a single flight hour needs 48.4 hours of repair. The fuel, repairs, and other needs for a 12-hour mission cost $720,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=720000|start_year=2010}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) as of 2010.<ref>Shachtman, Noah. [http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0715_airforce_shachtman.aspx "The Air Force Needs a Serious Upgrade,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008022450/http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0715_airforce_shachtman.aspx |date=8 October 2010}} ''Brookings Institution'', 15 July 2010. Retrieved 31 August 2011.</ref> The $63,000 cost per flight hour is, however, less than the $72,000 for the B-52 and the $135,000 of the B-2.<ref name="axe20120326">Axe, David. [https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/03/why-cant-the-air-force-build-an-affordable-plane/254998/ "Why Can't the Air Force Build an Affordable Plane?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423153606/https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/03/why-cant-the-air-force-build-an-affordable-plane/254998/ |date=23 April 2017 }} ''The Atlantic'', 26 March 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.</ref> In June 2010, senior USAF officials met to consider retiring the entire fleet to meet budget cuts.<ref>[http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/jun/28/b-1b-fleet-could-be-retired-early/ "Budget cutting axe may fall on the U.S. bomber force."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702085020/http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/jun/28/b-1b-fleet-could-be-retired-early/ |date=2 July 2010 }} ''Reporter News''. Retrieved 25 July 2010.</ref> The Pentagon plans to begin replacing the aircraft with the [[Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider|B-21 Raider]] after 2025.<ref name="Replace Reuters">{{cite news|title=New B-21 bomber named 'Raider': U.S. Air Force|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airforce-northrop-grumman-bomber-idUSKCN11P1TZ|access-date=23 April 2017|work=Reuters|date=19 September 2016|quote=The stealth B-21, the first new U.S. bomber of the 21st century, is part of an effort to replace the USAF's aging B-52 and B-1 bombers, though it is not slated to be ready for combat use before 2025.|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321112343/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-airforce-northrop-grumman-bomber-idUSKCN11P1TZ|url-status=live}}</ref> In the meantime, its "capabilities are particularly well-suited to the vast distances and unique challenges of the Pacific region, and we'll continue to invest in, and rely on, the B-1 in support of the focus on the Pacific" as part of President Obama's "[[People's Republic of China–United States relations#Obama administration|Pivot to East Asia]]".<ref>Brook, Tom Vanden. [https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/story/2012-05-11/b-1-bomber-obama-new-strategy/56097706/1 "B-1 bomber mission shifts from Afghanistan to China, Pacific."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504081907/http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/story/2012-05-11/b-1-bomber-obama-new-strategy/56097706/1 |date=4 May 2016 }} ''USA Today'', 11 May 2012.</ref>

In August 2012, the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron returned from a six-month tour in Afghanistan. Its 9 B-1Bs flew 770 sorties, the most of any B-1B squadron on a single deployment. The squadron spent 9,500 hours airborne, keeping one of its bombers in the air at all times. They accounted for a quarter of all combat aircraft sorties over the country during that time and fulfilled an average of two to three air support requests per day.<ref>[http://strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20120815.aspx "The 24/7 Bone Over Afghanistan."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817235734/http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairfo/articles/20120815.aspx |date=17 August 2012 }} ''Strategypage.com'', 15 August 2012.</ref> On 4 September 2013, a B-1B participated in a maritime evaluation exercise, deploying munitions such as laser-guided 500&nbsp;lb [[GBU-54]] bombs, 500&nbsp;lb and 2,000&nbsp;lb JDAM, and [[Long Range Anti-Ship Missile]]s (LRASM). The aim was to detect and engage several small craft using existing weapons and tactics developed from conventional warfare against ground targets; the B-1 is seen as a useful asset for maritime duties such as patrolling shipping lanes.<ref>[http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1252 U.S. Air Force tests B-1B Lancer bomber for maritime environment & anti-ship missions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923222433/http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1252 |date=23 September 2013 }} – Navyrecognition.com, 19 September 2013</ref>

Beginning in 2014, the B-1 was used against the Islamic State (IS) in the [[Syrian Civil War]].<ref>{{cite web|date=2014-09-23|title=Air Force fighters, bombers conduct strikes against ISIL targets in Syria|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/500047/air-force-fighters-bombers-conduct-strikes-against-isil-targets-in-syria/|access-date=2021-10-12|publisher=[[United States Air Force]]|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028165317/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/500047/air-force-fighters-bombers-conduct-strikes-against-isil-targets-in-syria/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Everstine|first=Brian|date=2015-08-23|title=Inside the B-1 crew that pounded ISIS with 1,800 bombs|url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/08/23/inside-the-b-1-crew-that-pounded-isis-with-1800-bombs/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=[[Air Force Times]]|archive-date=8 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208140057/https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2015/08/23/inside-the-b-1-crew-that-pounded-isis-with-1800-bombs/|url-status=live}}</ref> From August 2014 to January 2015, the B-1 accounted for eight percent of USAF sorties during [[Operation Inherent Resolve]].<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/01/19/a10-strikes-isis-11-percent/21875911/ "A-10 Performing 11 Percent of Anti-ISIS Sorties"]. Defensenews.com, 19 January 2015.</ref> The 9th Bomb Squadron was deployed to Qatar in July 2014 to support missions in Afghanistan, but when the air campaign against IS began on 8 August, the aircraft were employed in Iraq. During the [[Battle of Kobane]] in Syria, the squadron's B-1s dropped 660 bombs over 5 months in support of Kurdish forces defending the city. This amounted to one-third of all bombs used during OIR during the period, and they killed some 1,000 ISIL fighters. The 9th Bomb Squadron's B-1s went "Winchester"–dropping all weapons on board–31 times during their deployment. They dropped over 2,000 JDAMs during the six-month rotation.<ref name=":0" /> B-1s from the 28th Bomb Wing flew 490 sorties where they dropped 3,800 munitions on 3,700 targets during a six-month deployment. In February 2016, the B-1s were sent back to the U.S. for cockpit upgrades.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/19/politics/b-1-bombers-isis/index.html?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion&iref=obnetwork |title=B-1 bombers pulled from ISIS fight |publisher=CNN|date=21 February 2016 |access-date=24 February 2016 |archive-date=25 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225075137/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/19/politics/b-1-bombers-isis/index.html?iid=ob_article_footer_expansion&iref=obnetwork |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Air Force Global Strike Command===
As part of a USAF reorganization announced in April 2015, all B-1s were reassigned from Air Combat Command to [[Global Strike Command]] (GSC) in October 2015.<ref>[https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/585547/af-realigns-b-1-lrs-b-under-air-force-global-strike-command/ "AF realigns B-1, LRS-B under Air Force Global Strike Command"] . U.S. Air Force, 20 April 2015.</ref>

On 8 July 2017, the USAF flew two B-1s near the North Korean border in a show of force amid increasing tensions, particularly in response to North Korea's 4 July test of an ICBM capable of reaching Alaska.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/2-us-air-force-b-1-bombers-fly-near-north-korean-border-in-show-of-force|title=2 US Air Force B-1 bombers fly near North Korean border in show of force|first=Lucas|last=Tomlinson|publisher=[[Fox News]]|date=8 July 2017|access-date=8 July 2017|archive-date=8 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708110744/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/07/08/2-us-air-force-b-1-bombers-fly-near-north-korean-border-in-show-force.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 14 April 2018, B-1s launched 19 JASSM missiles as part of the [[2018 bombing of Damascus and Homs]] in Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20055/united-states-france-and-uk-begin-air-strikes-on-syria-updating-live|title=United States, France, And UK Begin Air Strikes on Syria (Updating Live)|first=Tyler Rogoway and Joseph|last=Trevithick|website=The Drive|date=13 April 2018|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112015627/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/20055/united-states-france-and-uk-begin-air-strikes-on-syria-updating-live|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/14/politics/syria-airstrikes-weapons-used-intl/index.html|title=Weapons the US, UK and France used to target Syria|author=Brad Lendon|publisher=CNN|date=14 April 2018|access-date=12 November 2019|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028062934/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/14/politics/syria-airstrikes-weapons-used-intl/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.military.com/defensetech/2018/04/17/us-may-ramp-buy-missile-just-made-combat-debut-syria.html|title=US May Ramp Up Buy of the Missile That Just Made Combat Debut in Syria|first=Oriana|last=Pawlyk|date=17 April 2018|website=Military.com|access-date=28 July 2018|archive-date=11 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011120952/https://www.military.com/defensetech/2018/04/17/us-may-ramp-buy-missile-just-made-combat-debut-syria.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2019, six B-1Bs met full mission capability; 15 were undergoing depot maintenance and 39 under repair and inspection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/only-6-of-61-us-air-force-b-1b-strategic-bombers-are-fully-combat-ready/ |title=Only 6 of 61 US Air Force B-1B Strategic Bombers Are Fully Combat-Ready |first=Franz-Stefan |last=Gady |date=7 August 2019 |website=The Diplomat |access-date=4 March 2021 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225023140/https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/only-6-of-61-us-air-force-b-1b-strategic-bombers-are-fully-combat-ready/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2021, the USAF announced it will retire 17 B-1s, leaving 45 aircraft in service. Four of these will be stored in a condition that will allow their return to service if required.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jennings |first=Gareth |date=19 February 2021 |title=USAF begins B-1B retirements |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/usaf-begins-b-1b-retirements |work=janes.com |access-date=2021-03-07 |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305152933/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/usaf-begins-b-1b-retirements |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2506903/afgsc-begins-retirement-of-b-1-aircraft-paving-way-for-b-21/ |title=AFGSC begins retirement of B-1 aircraft, paving way for B-21 |work=Air Force |access-date=2021-03-12 |publisher=United States Air Force |date=18 February 2021|archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321071550/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2506903/afgsc-begins-retirement-of-b-1-aircraft-paving-way-for-b-21/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2021, B-1s deployed to Norway's [[Ørland Main Air Station]] for the first time. During the deployment, they conducted bombing training with Norwegian and Swedish ground force [[Joint terminal attack controller]]s. One B-1 also conducted a ''warm-pit refuel'' at [[Bodø Main Air Station]], marking the first landing inside Norway's [[Arctic Circle]], and integrated with four [[Swedish Air Force]] [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen|JAS 39 Gripen]] fighters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2021/02/samovning-med-amerikanskt-bombflyg/ |title=Samövning med amerikanskt bombflyg |language=Norwegian |publisher=Försvarsmakten |date=22 February 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920013527/https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/aktuellt/2021/02/samovning-med-amerikanskt-bombflyg/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-presse/aktuelt/utvikler-samarbeid |title=Utvikler samarbeid |language=Norwegian |work=Forsvaret |date=9 March 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021 |archive-date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729030704/https://www.forsvaret.no/aktuelt-og-presse/aktuelt/utvikler-samarbeid |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 2 February 2024, the U.S. [[February 2024 United States airstrikes in Iraq and Syria|deployed two B-1Bs]] to strike 85 terrorist targets in seven locations in Iraq and Syria as part of a multi-tiered response to the killing of three U.S. troops in a drone attack in Jordan.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-02-02-24/index.html |title=Analysis: What to make of the US strikes against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq and Syria|publisher=CNN |date=2 February 2024 |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202222047/https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-02-02-24/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>