US deploys four B-52 Stratofortress bombers to Europe for training missions with NATO Allies

Europe, News, US May 28, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Air Force deployed four B-52 Stratofortress bombers to Europe for Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 24-3 missions. The aircraft arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, on May 22, 2024, for week-long training missions with NATO Allies.

During its deployment in Europe, the B-52 unit will operate as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and will integrate with NATO partners and other international allies. The bomber unit aims to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

According to the NATO Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) statement, the Bomber Task Force is aimed at building on the Trans-Atlantic bond between the U.S. and European Allies.

The statement highlighted that the U.S. bombers’ deployment demonstrates the commitment to the Alliance as well as provides “strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries”.

“The regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers provide critical touch points to train and operate alongside Allies whilst bolstering a collective response to any global threat,” the NATO AIRCOM statement added.

The United States employs its military resources in dynamic operational activities to address evolving strategic security challenges and uphold the Alliance’s mutual commitment and support.

*^{U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber takes off from Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England on May 24, 2024. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer/videograb by IRIA)}*

The deployment of strategic bombers allows U.S. joint forces to train with Allies and partners, enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and interoperability. These missions also help crews maintain high readiness levels and validate the U.S. Air Force’s global strike capabilities across multiple domains.

BTF 24-3 aims to enhance “agility in a dynamic security environment” and demonstrates global strike capabilities to support assurance and deterrence objectives, particularly within a NATO context and with a focus on the Baltic region.

B-52 Stratofortress

The B-52s have been the backbone of the U.S. Air Force for more than 60 years, with the capability to deliver long-range strikes of both nuclear and precision-guided conventional weapons.

The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The aircraft can drop or launch the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory which includes gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided missiles, and joint direct attack munitions.

The B-52, which has been updated with modern technology, is capable of delivering the full complement of joint-developed weapons and would continue into the 21st century as an important element of U.S. defenses, according to the U.S. Air Force.