B-1B Lancers, supporting equipment, and personnel from the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Dyess Air Forces Base, Texas, arrived at RAF Fairford, England, today to execute the long-planned Bomber Task Force mission, a regularly scheduled U.S. European Command and U.S. Strategic Command joint mission series.
USEUCOM has been conducting BTF missions since 2018, which have consisted of rotations of B-1B Lancers, B-52 Stratofortresses, and, most recently, B-2 Spirits. The series of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa missions allow U.S. bomber crews to deploy to unfamiliar airfields and integrate with a range of coalition allies and partners to enhance readiness.
“BTF missions amplify our coalition reach and project our collective airpower across theaters,” said Gen Jeff Harrigian, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. “By training and integrating with our allies and partners, we are expanding our ability to adapt to challenges and counter adversaries in the global security environment.”
The bombers were escorted into the theater by UK fighters as they ascended into RAF Fairford.
Strategic bomber missions within the USAFE-AFAFRICA theaters demonstrate the U.S. Air Force’s unique capability to rapidly deploy and integrate with NATO allies and coalition partners while providing necessary training to the joint force.
Coverage of the BTF deployment will be continuously available on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service at:https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/bombertaskforceeurope.
For media interested in engagement opportunities, please contact USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs as +49 06371-47-6558 or email usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.
