American bomber ‘buzzes’ Norwegian capital city

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress performed a dramatic low-altitude pass over Oslo, Norway, on March 14, accompanied by two Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs.

The flight was part of Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission TOWER BLOCKHOUSE, underscoring the ongoing military cooperation between the United States and Norway.

“The importance of our partnership with Norway to ensure a secure and stable Arctic cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kendall Smith, Bomber Task Force chief for U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

“This flyover stands as a visible demonstration of peace through strength, reinforced by mutual respect and shared values.”

The mission highlights what the U.S. Air Force refers to as the U.S. commitment to Arctic security at a time of increasing geopolitical tensions in the region. With melting ice caps opening new strategic corridors, Norway’s northern territories have become a critical area for both NATO and Russian military activity.

The Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions serve as essential exercises in interoperability, allowing U.S. strategic bombers to train alongside Allied air forces in complex scenarios. This marks the twelfth operation completed under the current BTF iteration, demonstrating the ability of U.S. forces to rapidly deploy and integrate with European partners.

With Russia increasing its military presence in the High North and Arctic Circle, NATO’s deterrence efforts have grown in importance. Operations like TOWER BLOCKHOUSE ensure that Norwegian and U.S. forces remain ready to operate together in the event of a crisis.

The low-altitude pass over Oslo was highly visible, serving both as a reassurance to NATO allies and a signal to potential adversaries that Arctic security remains a top priority for the Alliance.