B-52 bombers show ‘American lethality’ in Europe

After weeks of high-intensity training and multinational integration, four U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers have concluded their deployment to Europe and returned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, on 17 March.

Operating as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from RAF Fairford, UK, the bombers carried out 13 operational missions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, working alongside more than 20 allied and partner nations.

“Bomber Task Force missions reinforce our ability to rapidly project combat power, demonstrating U.S. lethality and readiness in a dynamic security environment,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Campo, Director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence, and Nuclear Integration for U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

“Training alongside our Allies and partners ensures seamless integration, enhancing deterrence and warfighting capability across Europe, Africa, and beyond.”

During the deployment, the B-52s participated in several high-profile exercises, including:

• FORTRESS HAIL, a dynamic targeting mission over the Baltic Sea, integrating with NATO forces.
• Precision strike operations, where the bombers dropped GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) at the Rovajärvi Range in Finland, guided by U.S. and Finnish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers.
• Long-range strike and air-to-air integration exercises with European and Middle Eastern allies.
• A historic low-pass over the Swedish Parliament to mark the one-year anniversary of Sweden joining NATO.

The latest Bomber Task Force mission, say the U.S. Air Force, underscores “the U.S. commitment to NATO and global security”, with these deployments serving as a visible demonstration of combat readiness and deterrence.

The U.S. Air Force emphasises that these operations contribute to ‘Peace through Strength,’ reinforcing strategic stability in an increasingly complex security environment.