The skies over Eastern and Southern Europe became a stage for unmatched aerial power as the U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses joined forces with Romanian F-16 Vipers, Croatian Rafales, and Bulgarian MiG-29s for ONYX CROSS, a high-intensity Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission aimed at enhancing readiness, deterrence, and combat lethality.
Launching from RAF Fairford, UK, the legendary B-52 bombers executed precision strike drills and dynamic combat simulations, proving their ability to integrate seamlessly with NATO’s cutting-edge fighter fleets.
“BTF missions serve as an assurance and deterrence initiative – they aim to provide a strategic element to NATO’s collective defense” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Aaron Gurley, a BTF planner with U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.
The multinational exercise tested the agility and coordination of allied air forces, demanding split-second decision-making and the ability to adapt to dynamic combat scenarios.
The mission unfolded in three key phases:
- Standoff Weapons Simulation: B-52 bombers launched a simulated missile strike from outside an adversary’s threat range, coordinating with Romanian F-16s to ensure precision engagement.
- Simulated Bomb Drop: The Stratofortresses then shifted to pre-planned strategic target strikes, integrating with Bulgarian MiG-29s for a high-speed dynamic targeting drill.
- Close-Air Support Operations: In the final phase, Croatian Rafales and Bulgarian MiG-29s provided aerial protection, ensuring the bombers could deliver decisive blows against simulated enemy positions.
“The B-52 integrates seamlessly with Allied and partner forces through combined operations like ONYX CROSS,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jacob “Crash” Carlson, a 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot.
“We refine tactics, communication, and operational coordination. Using secure networks, we share real-time data, ensuring close integration for strategic deterrence, close-air support, and precision strike missions.”
Since deploying to RAF Fairford, the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron has flown seven missions, conducting highly complex training across multiple theaters with NATO and allied air forces.
“Operating alongside partners has shaped my approach by emphasizing clear communication, adaptability to different frameworks, and leveraging coalition strengths to achieve mission success,” added Capt. Carlson.
These real-world exercises refine combat readiness, ensuring that when called upon, U.S. and NATO airpower can strike with precision, dominance, and coordination.
ONYX CROSS is a demonstration of strength, unity, and deterrence. By integrating airpower across nations, missions like ONYX CROSS reinforce NATO’s ability to operate as a single, lethal force, securing stability in the Euro-Atlantic region and ensuring allied dominance in the face of emerging threats.
F16 and cutting edge used in one sentence, is it 1980 again?
[ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐬 ]
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B-52 check, Mig-29 check, F-16 check. Yes, and I’m just getting some odd news from South Georgia.
You remember that film where USS Nimitz goes back in time to Pearl Harbor? Going back time a mere 38 years or so had Nimitz completely outclassing everything in its vicinity. Is it a worry that for us 45 years ago is cutting edge and the most modern plane mentioned is the Soviet one?
The Final Countdown (1980). Mildly cheesy but great fun 😁
Nice fantasy movie. One of the few movies i can see twice.
Rehearsing for the orange shit gibbon ordering the real thing? I wish we didn’t need to play nice with these people and could tell them to get back home as they aren’t welcome here. Realistically we can’t afford to fall out with the US right now though 😞
It won’t be long until the US pulls support for the F-35 and the Apache. These platforms require US contractors in the UK to plug them in and update them every month to remain operational. We technically lease them.
As for Trident, it is not an independent deterrent. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The Tirdent II D5 SLBM is supplied by the US, and they will pull support for that too in due course.
In short, be more like France and don’t buy – or lease – American.
@ The Brigadier
“As for Trident, it is not an independent deterrent” – Rubbish, absolute crap
This is an old chestnut that has been debunked repeatedly on this site, similarly denied in the House of Commons by several SoS Defence and establishing the facts is straigtforward.
The Trident II missiles used in the British CASD are drawn at random from a common pool maintained at Kings Bay, Georgia. The warheads are stored in the UK at the RN Coulport facility. The Trident warheads are designed and manufactured by the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, Berkshire, England, and are owned by the UK government. The targeting is done by RN officers on the boat while at sea. The guidance system does not rely on GPRS but uses a star-tracker. The MIRV re-entry vehicle, while built by the Americans, had considerable design input from British nuclear specialists.
The British and the Americans have had a 60 year collaboration on nuclear matters. That is not going to change now
While it is incorrect if the USA said no more missiles, no spare parts etc etc, it would be catastrophic for the deterrent.
Moving forward I think the complete ability to service the missiles in the U.K and do everything required as if the US was not there.
The number of missiles and warheads needs to be maxed out on each boat.
The implementation of independent deterrent needs to be put into the new boats. Imagine someone more isolationist than trump serving next. Or in 20 years.
Well we don’t have V Force anymore 😲
Incorrect
Bit of a click bait headline, but fair enough, got to get the views or it wouldn’t be worth it!
The US is still part of NATO. Most of us know Trump’s rhetoric is just that, rhetoric, used as a bargaining position. He’s already rowing back and clarify some stances such as, instead of completely withdrawing from NATO (which was never realistic), saying that meeting the NATO spending target should be a pre-requisite for being covered by article 5 (fair enough, insurance policies don’t pay out if you haven’t been paying your premiums).
Who knows, in 6 months time the Ukraine war could be over, thousands of conscripts lives saved, we could be spending 3% on defence, rEurope could be spending at least 2%, Ukraine could be in the EU and on the road to economic recovery, Putin could be on his way out, sanctions could be relaxed and economic relief might be felt!
On the other hand, the Russians might take advantage of western political turmoil by making big territorial pushes, debt markets and naive electorates will hamper defence spending increases, the US might withdraw all aid, and Europe’s only option might be to put troops on the ground and we’ll be on the verge of WW3.
I’d like to think the first scenario is more realistic.
And all the bad actors will take advantage. China invades Taiwan; North Korea uses its nuclear advantage; Iran launches full scale attacks on Israel and/or Saudi Arabia and closes the strait of hormuz, etc.
Whose side were the B52s on? It’s hard to keep up with geo-politics and alliances nowadays
Practicing for when putin calls trump and tells him Ukraine, Moldova and the Baltics are working on attacking the USA.
So much anti DT with a few vague commentaries! Like the Orange or hate him, he was voted in on putting the US first, which he is now doing (something our elected clowns could learn from) and we should actually be thanking him, for the simple fact of waking up the rest of NATO and Europe to the fact they have neglected the number one priority for any Government and that is the defence of the nation and its people.
Exactly.
You give him too much credit. I’ve not seen anything happening with funding that wasn’t happening anyway.
Europes forces are still following the same growth projections they were on in 2024.
He has put every US system used by others under question of reliability and ability to use it.
For the U.K. alone, that’s trident, apache, F35, chinook and so many systems with just US parts.
We see how fast he can turn, look at Ukraine. He stopped intelligence sharing even though the US will still be collecting that intel.
He can do what he likes with the US but they are no longer the leader of the free world, the dollar will fall out of favour and just an unreliable ally. It’s extremely sad to see it happening.
It’s simple that you need to focus not on the fact he has woken up Europe..but on the only thing that matters…America first means exactly what it says..that means he and his administration will do whatsoever they so think will gain America most…if that’s destroying Canada economically, working with Putin to divide up European countries then so be it.
I’m not making a moral judgment on MAGA that’s their choice…but we now have to be utterly realistic what we face..Americana being great again is not dependent on Europe being great, infact as Trump has very clearly iterated he wants a nicely divided Europe. Russia being powerful is actually to the advantage of the U.S. as it both keeps Europe focused on its own region and also acts a potential distraction to China..which is the big issue for MAGA.
My issue is not a moral one it’s the fact I thing he’s a fucking idiot from a geostrategic and geopolitical point of view and his assumptions are BS.
1) he thinks the U.S. without key allies can deter and if necessary win a war with china..unfortunately that I suspect is wrong and I personally thing that when you balance the geostrategic elements and political will even with all its allies winning against china was a toss of the coin. Without European and Canadian support I’m betting that china is think it’s very likely to win..so he’s making a war far far more likely and it will be far far more damaging.
2) moving Russia away from china.. not a hope Russia knows very well china would quite happily take some of its territory if it’s to its advantage..so Russia will play nice with china.. Russia only respects power and direct threat. It will play the US for every advantage it can and when china decided it’s time for a war with the US it’s very likely it will instruct its friend to participate..I think MAGA have forgotten Russia is a pacific power and next door to china in every way.
3) Russia is on a one way wartime economy it has to conquer and win to survive..Essentially trump is now colluding to hand over around 7 trillion dollars worth of resources to that war machine and give it time to reset…if the pressure had been kept on it would have collapsed and the threat removed now Putin can go on to his next victim which will be an ex soviet state outside of NATO..but he will be coming for Eastern Europe at some point.
Essentially he has forced the European nations into 2 really two not great options ( especially from the UK point of view). 1) allow the US to dictate the fragment of Europe and for it to be used as a resource for the US MAGA movement, that could be cast aside at any time 2) go it alone and admit the western alliance is done and become a friendly but neutral strategic competitor with the U.S.
I’d be fine with him putting America first, it’s what US presidents have always done. What I have a problem with is him putting Russia first.
Well said, Airborne.
And meanwhile we would do well to ignore the daily political rhetoric and media meltdowns – none of them know what they’re talking about. This three dimensional game of realpolitik will play out over the next six months and when it finishes we’ll just have to see how it has fared.
The best outcome is if peace has come to Ukraine, Europe is actively rebuilding its defences, and Orange Man has agreed that the US will (no doubt in return for a fee!) provide the space and air cover and the intelligence support needed to protect Ukraine from further attack until Europe has built up its own.
The worst outcome is if…..😧
With the way Trump talking at the moment not sure which part of Europe he’s practising to Bomb . 🤔
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I have had thousands deleted over the years !!!! It’s just how “Impartial” works !!!!