U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers conducted a long-range mission from their deployed location at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden on 29 Feb, 2024, returning to Ellsworth AFB, where the B-1Bs are permanently stationed.
The U.S. Air Force say that the bombers and their crews were operating as part of the Bomber Task Force deployment 24-2.
“The objectives of this particular mission were to exercise multinational cooperation, demonstrate collective deterrence, and test air defence capabilities. To achieve this, the B-1s flew as a simulated adversary and received intercepts from various NATO fighter aircraft across the Arctic, North Sea, and the Greenland, Iceland, and U.K. gap. All training objectives were met.”
The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to NATO Allies and partners through BTF missions.
“This serves as a stellar illustration of NATO’s collective deterrence and air defence capabilities,” remarked General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command.
“In the face of today’s uncertain global security landscape, preparedness for any scenario is paramount. Through this exercise, we enhance interoperability within the NATO Alliance, reinforcing our commitment to collaborative efforts that foster international security and stability,” he concluded.
Regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers also provide critical touch points to train and operate alongside their Allies and partners while bolstering a collective response to any global conflict.
You have to admit, the B1 is a looker
Won’t argue with that ,good pay load SQN for the RAF please 🤗
I’ll see you SQN and raise you 4 ….
👍
It’s and absolute cash hog though.
I’d like to see some of these permanently stationed in the UK as a constant warning. In practical terms, it would not make tactical or financial sense but it would add real gravitas to US commitment to Europe.
Correct me if I’m mistaken, but I believe there may be some stationed at RAF Fairford!?
RAF Fairford is frequently used as a FOB for both B1 and B2 Bombers,because of their reach i doubt they will need to be permanently stationed there,they just deploy as and when they are needed.
There is no real appetite in the US for a commitment to Europe anymore. It’s time you guys started paying your own way, not like you can’t afford it
That is sad, personally I have always had great affection for the yanks. And yes…Europe is stepping up re Percentage of GDP finally. I guess if Trump pulls USA out of NATO. When the brown stuff hits the fan when USA and China go to war the USA won’t want help from its actual friends.
On the contrary, the US will want help from its friends. But, lets be honest, if you had a friend who kept borrowing your lawn mower because his was broke and he was too cheap to fix it, would you not consider him a bit of a ponce? Especially if he is driving around in a BMW? Bottom line, europe can and should be able to pay it’s way. Surely being friends means being honest and dorect regarding the elephant in the room?
Yeah that’s totally how the world’s largest military alliance works , it’s just like borrowing a lawn more.
The US has around 100,000 forces in all of Europe. European NATO has 1.8 million.
The US is the only country ever to enact article 5
NATO has launched missions supporting the US in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The US has never entered and operation supporting another NATO allie.
Pleas tell me who is borrowing who’s lawn more?
Their are very good Geo strategic reason the US government wants to be in NATO.
I take it when the US withdraws from NATO that means they will happily wave goodbye to Menwith Hill, Croughton, and Feltwell too. And all their other bases that give them strategic reach across Europe and into the Middle East.
Like hell they would.
I don’t believe for a moment the US will withdraw from NATO.
Trump just wants European states to rightly pay their way.
Spot on 👍
Add Diego Garcia to that as well. As for Trump it is just something else for him to rile at. as an article in one of the papers pointed out he seem to be under the impression that NATO is one big fund which everybody pays into and some how the US is being cheated. in realty there is a NATO central budget which all member pay into. Back up Rex Tillerson description of his boss as a “Moron”
Of course, you could add all our legacy bases from empire, for which the post ww2 USA found GB to be of greatest use by accessing those bases for their military and intelligence empire.
As we wained on the world stage.
I’m not so sure Trump knows what to think. He is completely Trump centric. Furthermore, in his first administration, he was surrounded by some very competent people. Gradually, he’s chased them away and gravitated toward quite a few fringe elements, which is a natural fit, for him. I think what he does in Ukraine can be predicted as accurately as a coin flip. It’s a scary situation. On the other hand, the Biden doctrine is to do just enough to ensure that the conflict never ends. As an American, I’m embarrassed that the bulk of our voters have selected these… Read more »
You tell it Jim 👍
I think we gave the lawnmower back a few times, Iraq twice and Afghanistan plus the Hutis.
Honestly it would not matter if Europe was spending 4% of GDP the MAGA Republican’s would still be playing up their base and wanting to leave NATO NAFTA and every other agreement they are part of.
They’re xenophobic not rational.
Point in case Europe is massively out matching the US in Ukraine and they still say they are the ones doing everything.
👍
There wasn’t a US appetite for war in Europe in both World Wars but many Americans ended up fighting alongside its allies and for good reason. A Europe under the tyranny of a dictator is a danger for the whole World and the US has too much invested in both money and cultural exchange, not to stand shoulder to shoulder. If you want a true picture of the US/European military union you would be wise to listen to JF Kennedy than Trump. The US will never allow Europe to slip its grasp. That said, some European states need to spend… Read more »
TBH this isn’t rhetoric, I’ve been hearing this stuff for the past 18 years from Americans and I’m pretty sure 95% of the people I interact with are democrats. It’s really not a party issue over here, i’m just stating what the situation is from my perspective. FYI i’m anglo-american and love both countries and have lived in both
It’s inconceivable that the US will withdraw military support from NATO when it is the main component of the organisation. Another element would be the reaction of American-based multinational companies including banking, which would be extremely concerned about the short-term stability of critical markets.
It was inconceivable for the UK to leave the EU in 2015, but it happened.
If the Donald gets in the US has effectively left NATO. We should make preparations.
For too long NATO has been too reliant on one member (largely to the benefit of that one member)
European NATO and Canada is still an emcee force easily able to look after itself in the face of any conventional force.
The US woukd never have entered the European theatre if Hitler had not be dumb enough to declare war on the USA.
The US has always be isolationist. Even in 1945 the US mothballed even its navy making it smaller than it was in the 30’s under the treaties. It was only post 48 the country changed largely as a result of the UK walking away from its global commitments.
It ain’t going to happen Jim but Trump may withdraw some units just to spook the doubters.
For what the UK pay on Defence is Ridiculous
Guess you are American? UK meets the NATO target of 2% of GDP.
I’m anglo american. The 2% thing is a wet rag. Take out the pensions and the nuclear deterrent and you get the real number of around1.5. The amount being spent should be a function of the threat level, not some random target. It surprises me that Hunt isn’t going to dump a load of cash in defense at the next budget, it would be a win win for everyone: MOD gets the money it needs and then labour (who obvs will win) will look weak on defense should they dare cut it? Don’t you think?
The UK Govt just issued a statement a few days ago that were Russia to attempt any aggression against NATO, it would be “easily and quickly” defeated. THAT is the essence of the UK Government’s threat assessment. If Russia can be easily and quickly defeated now, why on earth would the UK Government put more money into defence? ALL the Government’s rhetoric notwithstanding, that explains why the UK will not be increasing defence spending substantially and why both Labour and Conservative Governments are actually likely to cut defence capabilities further.
The UK governments nowadays think we should just relied on our Allies .All this talk of Trump pulling out of NATO I can’t see it to be honest but there again one can never be certain ,and he was a little friendly with Putin . 🤔
Spot on.
Agree with you on 2% is a wet rag ,my friend but when the US go in a fight they always look at the UK to in with them .Wise not to forget that there’s a good chap 🇬🇧
I fully agree. More money into Defence is justified, in fact very necessary. The threat to the UK and our European neighbours is much higher than in the Cold War era and not just from Russia.
More contracts with British Industry will boost the economy and create and sustain jobs.
We all know that’s a dodgy accounting trick started by Cameron & Osbourne, not an uplift in actual spending. Force levels have been in a firm dive since we acheived 2% magically, so I don’t think even the Yanks fall for that.
NATO needs America, but we must do more for ourselves too.
Agreed 👍
Yes, you need to ask yourself why the Republican party is doing the work of Putin and acting more in the interests of Russia than the US and the West. And why Agent Orange is such an obvious pro Russian shill and fan boy of Putin. I remember a time when American Republicans were staunchly against totalitarian Russian dictators and acted like true patriots for US interests.
I agree with you. It is shameful what the republicans are doing
Yes, I agree that all of Europe needs to step up to defend itself including RoIE.
Due to a bumper harvest of Maris Pipers last year… apparently the Irish Army has just placed an order for Ten Thousand new state of the art… Spud Guns….😟
So the US is supposed to borrow billions to support forces in Europe that make no tactical or financial sense because you think it adds gravitas to the US’s commitment in Europe. And you can’t figure out Donald Trump’s appeal to Americans.
Read my note to geneticengineer.
spot on. Europe should be able to deal with the Ukraine thing without help from the US (i’m not saying the US should be neutral BTW), just looking at sizes of economies, population etc there is no reason for europe to be so weak
Hello again Scott Parker….. 😂
Yep just tell trump, wot goes around comes around.
I am a Brit but also an Americophile. Notwithstanding the decline of Anglo-Saxonism, particularly in the terms of a rapidly diminishing percentage of said Anglos in both countries, there remains and hopefully will remain, strong bonds between both Unions. The bulk of the US population is still of European origin and the English language(American spelling defects aside😉) is an enduring link. On subject the B1 is indeed a beauty. I have that photo of the multiple F 35’s lined up in fours, as my screensaver. The numbers appear to recede endlessly towards the horizon creating an impression of huge numbers… Read more »
America is finished with everyone pulling into BRICS. It’s too bad the US isn’t as smart as China who helps other countries. They even buy mines in Canada🤷🏻♂️
The world doesn’t much like the US as they are stained with blood. They donate millions worth of weapons to kill the innocent. Shameful! The be world is going to shit and the USA could have helped so many countries and had so many economic allies. Instead it has allowed China and its allies to do what they should have done.
It’s inevitable. WW3 is on its way.
“With everyone pulling into Brics”……. Ermmm, Everyone ? 🤔
Trump works at keeping everyone guessing. Bottom line: Putin would never have attacked Ukraine with him in the White House.
Granted, Biden keeps everyone guessing too. He just doesn’t have to work at it, since it comes naturally to a senile fool.