The US Air Force’s B-52H Stratofortress bombers concluded their deployment as part of NATO’s Bomber Task Force after three months of operations. Such missions are frequently conducted by the USAF in Europe, especially given the heightened tensions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Two aircraft operated from RAF Fairford in the UK since May. NATO’s statement highlighted that the aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing of the USAF, along with support personnel, have returned to their home base at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, United States.
During their deployment as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, they conducted operations with other NATO member countries’ aircraft, including refueling and allied fighters. The squadron commander emphasized that the concept of this task force aimed at deterrence and strengthening NATO alliances.
Arriving in May, the bombers were involved in missions over the Baltic countries, often flying patterns around the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. At that time, a USAF spokesperson stated that this demonstrated NATO allies’ and partner nations’ capabilities to operate seamlessly together to maintain stability and prosperity in the Baltic Sea region. It sends a clear message to potential adversaries, deters aggression, enhances stability, and provides security to Euro-Atlantic populations.
“The missions we flew here allow us to identify limiting factors and maximize interoperability,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Ruedier of the U.S Air Force, who serves as the director of operations for the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
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