U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers recently arrived at the Norwegian Air Base in Oerland for the first time in the both Allies history.
According to a NATO news update, the United States and Norway will conduct joint training to demonstrate transatlantic interoperability.
“These missions help build an understanding and further bolster the partnership between Allies. Overall, this will increase the lethality and readiness of the combined forces in the North of Europe.”
Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, was quoted as saying:
“I’m looking forward to showcasing our ability to operate out of this new location and get after the mission in fresh environments. Training with allies like Norway enables us to hone our deterrence and defence capabilities while also enhancing regional stability.”
That’s a very graceful looking aircraft.
What a graceful sexy looking lady, if you can ever describe an aircraft as such! It will be a sad day when they are eventually retired, a bit like when we retired our Vulcans.
The B1 looks great but it’s a maintenance nightmare.
General Harrigian is right though when it comes to the vital need to build further cooperation with the Norwegians.
That’s what NATO is all about, like others have said, the USA shoulders a greater burden for European defence then many.
What no-one can explain to me a-la talking to a child, is why they are being retired and the B52s keep going strong, call me thick, but…
I have no idea, other then structuraly worn out. I don’t think as much investment has gone into keeping them airworthy, unlike the B52’s perhaps!
An enigma solved by USAF Braid looking for future jobs?
Perhaps the size of the B52 makes them more attractive. More of a bomb juggernaut than a truck. Also ultra long range with stand-off capabilities.
The B52 has a Different Mission Profile which doesn’t put as much Stress on the Airframe.
B52s operate in airframe benign conditions at altitude, given air superiority; but B1s fly below radar at low level giving them a hell of a buffetting which wears the airframe more quickly. At least that’s what I think is the problem. I’m sure someone will correct me if wrong.