B-52 strategic bombers fly mission to Gulf of Guinea defenceweb.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from defenceweb.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
23 U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, integrated with five NATO allies in and around the international airspace over the Aegean and Black Seas on May 24, 2021.
The B-52H aircraft integrated with Hungarian Gripens, Italian Eurofighters and F-16 aircraft from Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria. The bombers conducted simulated target training in the Black Sea region before returning to Morón Air Base, Spain.
Operations and engagements with our allies and partners demonstrate and strengthen our shared commitment to global security and stability.
“Today’s mission provided invaluable training for our Airmen as they simulated a critical capability for our force and interoperability with our allies in the region,” said Gen. Steven Basham, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa deputy commander. “Executing these training scenarios ensures our team remains ready to respond to any threat at a mom
US Air Force
This week, those bombers trained with troops on the ground to conduct close air support.
The deployment, and increased Arctic activity in general, comes amid high tensions between NATO and Russia.
US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers that deployed to Norway in late February have already demonstrated their reach in the air around Europe, and this week they tested their ability to put bombs on target in new surroundings.
On March 8, a bomber conducted Joint Terminal Attack Controller training with US Navy SEALs, US Marines, and Norwegian soldiers near Setermoen in the Norwegian Arctic.
JTACs, as they re known, direct aircraft during close-air-support missions. For this training, US and Norwegian JTACs took position on top of a mountain and quickly established communications with the bomber to call in targets, a Marine Corps release said.
U S Air Force Bomber Crews Brave The Cold As The Pentagon Expands Its Arctic Options forbes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from forbes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.