RAMSTEIN, Germany - Following a month-long deployment on Bomber Task Force 24-3 (BFT 24-3), which kicked off May 24, U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers and supporting personnel returned to their home wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
This focus on integration is critical for partner building and maintaining the collective stability of Euro-Atlantic relations
Whilst deployed and operating as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, the bombers conducted integrated operations with NATO Allies and international partners, including Denmark, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Morocco, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. During the one-month deployments to Europe, the bombers demonstrated interoperability with Allied re-fuelling and fighter aircraft.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, flies over the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, during Bomber Task Force 24-3 June 4, 2024. U.S.Air Force photo by Emily Farnsworthy.
Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripens fly off the wing of a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress during a Bomber Task Force 24-3 mission , June 18, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Farnsworth.
A Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon flies in formation with a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress during Bomber Task Force 24-3 June 4, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by Emily Farnsworth.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress conducting air-to-air refuleling with a U.S. in Northern Europe during a Bomber Task Force 24-3 mission. Photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
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“The whole concept of the Bomber Task Force is built not only around deterrence, but also Ally building,” said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Wheeler, Commander of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
“This focus on integration is critical for partner building and maintaining the collective stability of Euro-Atlantic relations. Through multiple iterations of integrating with Allies in the region, we learn to work together as seamlessly and efficiently as possible. The missions we fly here allow us to identify limiting factors and increase interoperability to the maximum extent possible,” said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Ruedier, 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron’s director of operations.
The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to NATO Allies and partners through BTF missions. Enabling dynamic force employment in the European theatre, BTF missions underscore the transatlantic link within the Alliance and provide an opportunity for forces to improve shared understanding and trust.
The BTF missions also permit crews to maintain a high state of readiness and validate the U.S. Air Force’s global strike capability in multi-domain operations.