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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off out of Morón Air Base, Spain, after a successful Bomber Task Force Europe June 17, 2021. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater, as they are intended to deter conflict rather than instigate it. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez)
Photo by: Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
A B-52H Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana flies a sortie with Greek F-16Õs during Bomber Task Force Europe Monday June 14 2021.The U.S. is committed to our security commitments to the NATO alliance and our global partners. We routinely operate across the globe and are flexible and agile to respond to the changes in the operational environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff. Sgt. Jason Allred)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jason Allred
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress operating out of Morón Air Base, Spain, flies in formation with Spanish air force F-18 aircraft in support of a Bomber Task Force Europe mission, June 3, 2021. Forward operating locations strengthen the ability to rapidly respond and coordinate with allies and partners. (Courtesy photo by the Spanish air force)
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
On 31st May 2021, a US Air Force B52H was joined by a KC 135 tanker aircraft and a Royal Air Force Typhoon, Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) aircraft based out of RAF Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland.
They were taking part in a NATO Exercise involving several NATO allies, flying over multiple countries.
For the second time in a Bomber Task Force rotation, U.S. Air Force strategic aircraft have flown a mission over all 30 NATO allied nations in North America and Europe on 31 May 2021
B-52H Stratofortress aircraft currently deployed to Morón Air Base, Spain, and U.S. based aircraft have flown with more than 20 NATO allies in a single day across the two combatant commands.
The Operation demonstrated the shared commitment to NATO solidarity, enhanced readiness and provided training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the U.S. and our NATO allies. This Operation is the latest iteration of routine BTF missions that have occurred in the European theater of operations since 2018, with more than 200 sorties coordinated with allies and partners.
Strategic bombers contribute to stability around the world, as they are intended to deter conflict rather than instigate it. If called upon, U.S. aircraft offer rapid response capabilities at any time and in any theater.
The Operation was conducted in two parts:
· European Leg: B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft currently deployed to Morón Air Base Spain, have flown over all NATO nations in Europe. During the mission, the bombers completed aerial refueling and integrated with several allie aircraft.
· North American Leg: The stateside based aircraft integrated with aircraft from the U.S. and Canada while flying over both nations.
Supported by the KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, supported this large-force event. The 100th ARW is the only permanent USAF air refueling wing in Europe, extending the reach of U.S. and NATO a
Photo by: Corporal Alex Scott
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off out of Morón Air Base, Spain, returning home after completing Bomber Task Force Europe June 18, 2021. The U.S. Air force is engaged, postured, and ready with credible force to assure, deter, and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez)
Photo by: Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
Photo by: U.S. European Command Public Affairs
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off out of Morón Air Base, Spain, after a successful Bomber Task Force Europe June 17, 2021. U.S. Strategic Command forces are on watch 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deter and defeat strategic attack against the U.S. and our allies with conventional and nuclear capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez)
Photo by: Senior Airman Daniel Hernandez
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
Airmen assigned to the 2nd Communications Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana enabled operations throughout Bomber Task Force Europe Friday June 3. Strategic bomber missions enhance the readiness necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. (U.S. Air Force video by Staff. Sgt. Jason Allred)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jason Allred
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B-52 finalizes Bomber Task Force deployment
A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, conducted Bomber Task Force operations throughout Portugal with F-16 Fighting Falcons, June 2, 2021. Forward locations in Europe enhance collective defense capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Allred)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Jason Allred
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2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
A B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, takes off from Morón Air Base, Spain, June 14, 2021, in support of Bomber Task Force operations. U.S. Air Force bomber aircraft routinely operate across the globe and are flexible and agile to respond to the changes in the operational environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt Aileen Lauer)
Photo by: 2nd Lt. Aileen Lauer
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, completed the final mission for the latest Bomber Task Force rotation with a flight over Morocco June 18, 2021.
The B-52 aircraft departed its forward-operating location at Morón Air Base, Spain, to fly down to Morocco before returning to Barksdale AFB.
“The final two days of flights over Morocco and through the Arctic are great examples of our team’s range and flexibility,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander. “My hope is that our air operations over the last month have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to our European and African partners and sent the message that we are invested in creating opportunities to grow together.”
This is the third time bomber aircraft conducted operations in U.S. Africa Command during the deployment. On May 21, the bombers conducted integration and interoperability training with Tunisian air and ground forces during a bilateral training sortie. Two weeks later, the B-52s completed a mission to the Gulf of Guinea before flying along the western and northern African coasts on their return to Morón AB, Spain.
This deployment spanned the European, African, North American, Arctic and Pacific regions, demonstrating the global capabilities of this long-range aircraft.
The level of partnership and coordination BTF operations achieve was highlighted when U.S. aircraft, for the second time, successfully flew over all 30 NATO nations in one day while integrating with aircraft from more than 20 allied nations.
The strategic bombers completed over a dozen missions integrating with allied and partnered nations while operating out of Spain for the past month. The B-52s also supported special operations training with joint terminal attack controllers from Canada, Latvia and Lithuania, and integrated with U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40) during the annual BALTOPS exercise, as well as various other aircraft assigned to USAFE-AFAFRICA throughout the deployment.
Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective defense of NATO and contribute to stability in multiple theaters. The ability to quickly respond and assure allies and partners rests upon the fact that U.S. forces are here and ready, in Europe and Africa.
Continuing coverage of Bomber Task Force deployments will be available on this website and on the DVIDS hub at: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/bombertaskforceeurope.
