MONS, Belgium – Four U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers from North Dakota, United States of America, concluded a deployment to Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, on Jun 20, 2024, where they have been stationed since May in support of Bomber Task Force (BTF) 24-3.
BTF 24-3 is a part of Large Scale Global Exercise 2024, an umbrella term that incorporates dozens of separate exercises and military activities under multiple combatant commands. It demonstrates cooperation, collaboration, interoperability and solidarity to promote peace and security.
This focus on integration is critical for partner building and maintaining the collective stability of Euro-Atlantic relations
The bombers assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron conducted Force Integration Training with NATO jets in support of multinational air domain exercises BALTOPS, African Lion 2024 and Global Guardian 24-2.
During this deployment to Europe, the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron conducted integrated operations with NATO Allies and other international partners, including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. At various intervals of the mission across Europe, the bombers were accompanied by an array of aircraft, including fuelers and fighters, from NATO and partner nations.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England May 29, 2024. The presence of U.S. military assets highlights commitment to NATO's efforts, ensuring peace and security in the European region. - U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer
NATO Allies and partner nations take every opportunity to train together to refine tactics, techniques and procedures to maintain a high state of readiness, to synchronize capabilities, and to improve shared understanding, trust and interoperability.
“The whole concept of the Bomber Task Force is built not only around deterrence, but also Ally building,” said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Wheeler, Commander of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
Demonstrating the commitment to the Alliance, the U.S. bombers provide strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners, while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries.
“This focus on integration is critical for partner building and maintaining the collective stability of Euro-Atlantic relations. Through multiple iterations of integrating with Allies in the region, we learn to work together as seamlessly and efficiently as possible. The missions we fly here allow us to identify limiting factors and increase interoperability to the maximum extent possible,” said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Ruedier, 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron’s director of operations.
The regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers boost NATO’s ability to respond to any global threat, ensuring stability and security across the Euro-Atlantic area.