FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE -- Four B-52H Stratofortresses are here through Aug. 19 to participate in the Agile Combat Employment exercised.

The bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana arrived Tuesday, Aug. 16. They are the first B-52H aircraft to participant in Fairchild drills since the runways were refurbished 12 years ago, officials said.

The bombers are not new to Fairchild.

In 1957, Fairchild was home to about 45 B-52s, which remained until 1993-94 when the base was officially redesignated as the 92nd Air Refueling Wing.

ACE exercises are used to test and improve U.S. Air Fo...