After a month in the United Kingdom, the first two B-52H Stratofortress bombers deployed to RAF Fairford for Bomber Task Force 24-3 returned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, on Jun. 18, 2024.
After leaving Fairford, the two bombers toured the Scandinavian peninsula, before beginning the Atlantic crossing on their way back.
The mission to the Nordic region came few days after the first reported violations by Russian combat aircraft of the airspaces of Sweden and Finland, since the two nations have joined NATO.
The two bombers, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, were part of a four-aircraft deployment which started on May 20, while the first missions in support of the Bomber Task Force were flown on May 24.
As for previous BTF deployments, the goal was to demonstrate the shared commitment to global security and stability, as well as to conduct strategic training focusing on interoperability across the area of responsibility.
This focus on integration is critical for partner building and maintaining the collective stability of Euro-Atlantic relations, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Ruedier, 69th EBS director of operations.
“Through multiple iterations of integrating with Allies in the region, we learn to work together as seamlessly and efficiently as possible,” said Ruediger.
“The missions we’ll fly here allow us to identify limiting factors and increase interoperability to the maximum extent possible.”
