By Craig Hoyle2021-03-08T13:46:00+00:00
The US Air Force (USAF) says its first deployment of strategic bombers to a Norwegian air base is intended to boost allied training and readiness in the region, but the visit also underscores Washington’s commitment to protecting the Arctic “far north” from the threat of Russian interference.
Four Boeing B-1Bs were flown from Dyess AFB, Texas, to the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s Orland base in late February, from where they will be operating over a period of several weeks.
Source: Royal Norwegian Air Force
Strategic bombers are currently operating from Norway’s Orland air base
US Air Force/Airman 1st Class Josiah Brown
US B-1B bombers arrived in Norway on February 22 for the first bomber deployment ever to that country.
NATO officials said the deployment shouldn t be seen as a threat, but the bombers capabilities should be clear.
Four US Air Force B-1B bombers arrived at Ørland Air Station in central Norway on February 22 for what officials say is a historic deployment meant to familiarize US airmen with new terrain.
While US bombers regularly train with Norwegian aircraft, they usually fly out of another major base in the region. This is the first time that we are generating flights in partnership with our close ally, Norway, as well as operating from Norwegian soil, Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, deputy commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Africa, told reporters Friday.
By
Paul McLeary on March 05, 2021 at 12:25 PM
A B-1B Lancer lands at Ørland Air Force Station, Norway, March 3, 2021
WASHINGTON: A top Norwegian general insists that basing two US B-1B bombers in Norway isn’t meant as a threat to Russia. Instead, he argued, the new basing agreement at the country’s main F-35 base is simply a new opportunity to train in the Arctic.
“We are not going into a new Cold War,” Lt. Gen. Yngve Odlo, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters told reporters this morning, adding that Oslo has long operated in the High North close to the Russian border, and both sides have well-understood rules of the road for staying clear of one another.
US Air Force bombers are on an historic mission to Norway to let allies know they ll be on target, first time yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.