U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the 307th Bomb Wing landed at RAF Fairford on 11 September to join Exercise Cobra Warrior 2025.
The RAF-led exercise, held twice a year since 2019, focuses on high-end warfighting in contested and degraded environments. This iteration will also serve as the final assessment for several UK Qualified Weapons Instructor courses.
Lt. Col. Kenny Squires, deployed commander for the 307th, said: “The primary objective of our mission during Cobra Warrior 2025 is to enhance interoperability with our NATO and allied partners while executing complex, multi-domain operations. We’re here to train like we fight — in joint, coalition environments — so we can respond effectively to any threat, anywhere in the world.”
The training will take place at locations across England with participation from multiple NATO and partner nations. Scenarios will focus on joint mission planning, tactical integration, and developing procedures for engaging near-peer adversaries.
Squires added: “The B-52 brings strategic reach and long-range strike capabilities to the fight. Exercises like Cobra Warrior 2025 ensure we keep a sharp edge. It also ensures our allies have exposure to heavy bomber integration and capabilities that they may not see regularly so that both of us are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.”
This is the second time the 307th Bomb Wing has joined Cobra Warrior since 2019.
Hmmm…standard bomber deployment package–normal ops., no problemo. If the remainder of the Squadron, or even more so, the Wing, materializes at RAF Fairford, “Houston, we have a problem.” Very interesting real world scenario could develop w/ repeated Orc incursions of NATO airspace. Mad Vlad appears to be interested in testing the limits. 🤔😳
The US military continues to take part in NATO exercises as normal yet the vibes from the White House are anything but!🤔