The latest US Bomber Task Force rotation in Europe concluded on 24 November after a two week deployment intended to improve air integration with NATO allies and partners, the alliance stated.
B-52H aircraft operated from Spain and conducted missions across NATO territory. According to the release, the deployment was used to test advanced tactics and strengthen interoperability with Finnish, Lithuanian and Swedish air forces.
NATO describes the activity as supporting multi domain deterrence along the eastern flank.
Training sorties over northern Europe placed B 52 crews with allied fighters in scenarios built around countering anti access and area denial threats. NATO links these missions to the principles underpinning Eastern Sentry, its enhanced vigilance activity that integrates air, land, maritime and space assets into a defensive network. The alliance said the integration work demonstrated an ability to respond rapidly to potential airborne threats.
Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Dougherty, who commands the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, said “such a robust deployment sustains our lethality and reinforces our ability to project global combat power at a time and place of our choosing, while deterring our potential adversaries.” He added “there is no replacement for hard power.”
B-52 crews rehearsed find, fix, track and target procedures alongside NATO E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft, which the release says improved cross-domain awareness. The mission also produced the first recorded imagery of the two aircraft flying in formation.
