United States Deploys B-52 Bombers To The United Kingdom
By Donald Standeford, Correspondent - Follow -
Date Published: February 11, 2022 11:10AM UTC
Last Modified: February 11, 2022 11:10AM UTC
UNITED KINGDOM - The United States has deployed B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bombers belonging to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota to the United Kingdom.
The Air Force stated that the deployment is called 'Bomber Task Force' is partially a regularly scheduled United States European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) joint mission.
Journalist Mikey Kay (@MikeyKayNYC) posted flight tracking photos of the B-52 bombers as they were on their way to the United Kingdom stating that two of them were heading to RAF Fairford and the other two were headed to Scotland.
Kay tweeted "Callsign ‘Hate 14’ - one of four B-52s caught by @JTWAviationImag transiting the Welsh/English Border heading to final destination RAF Fairford. From a close source, 2 of the B-52s headed to the ranges in Scotland first for training.".
Another tweet from Kay stated "B-52s from 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AF Base, N. Dakota, en route RAF Fariford, England to execute long-planned Bomber Task Force mission, a regularly scheduled U.S. European Command and U.S. Strategic Command joint mission series".
"Of note: 2 x U.S B1-B bombers deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and were based out of Norway last year, Ørland Air Force Station, Norway - taking part in Exercise Bone Saw".
"Epic images from the 2 x Typhoon escort from @RAFLossiemouth, of U.S B-52s arriving into U.K. airspace today. Destination RAF Fairford. Photo by RAF photographer in back seat of 100Sqn Hawk".
American Military News stated that the U.S. bombers flew with British Eurofighter Typhoons as well as Portuguese F-16 fighter jets which are operating as part of NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission. They also report that the U.S. bombers integrated with the UK's Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) as 'part of a bilateral close air support training effort'.
The United States Air Force in Europe and Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) said "With an ever-changing global security environment, it’s critical that our efforts with our allies and partners are unified. We’re in Europe training and collaborating together, because consistent integration is how we strengthen our collective airpower".
The B-52s are set to be stationed at RAF Fairford as part of a training and integration rotation with allied forces. The Air Force stated that they have been carrying out bomber rotations in Europe since 2018 to improve "cooperation and operational capacity, capability and interoperability” and “reinforce the U.S. commitment to NATO allies and coalition partners to maintain our collective safety and sovereignty".
