RAMSTEIN, Germany - During a month-long deployment, which kicked off March 24 U.S. Air Force B-1Bs and supporting personnel conducted several missions to train alongside Allies and partners across the European region, including above the Czech Republic, Greece, Türkiye, and the United Kingdom.
This deployment was another excellent opportunity for U.S. forces to demonstrate our ability to operate in conjunction with our Allies to enhance our combined strength
U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, returned to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, April 23, as they concluded Bomber Task Force 24-2 that saw them operate out of Morón Air Base, Spain. During their deployment in Europe, the bombers integrated with Typhoons from the United Kingdom. They conducted escort training with their Allies before leaving the theatre.
A U.S. Airman prepares to complete post-flight maintenance on a B-1B Lancer on the flightline at Morón Air Base, Spain, during Bomber Task Force Europe April 19, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by Holly Cook.
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U.S. ground crew prepares to complete post-flight maintenance on a B-1B Lancer on the flightline at Morón Air Base, Spain, during Bomber Task Force Europe April 19, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by Holly Cook.
A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet flying an integration mission with two U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers during Bomber Task Force 24-1. Photo Crown Copyright.
“This deployment was another excellent opportunity for U.S. forces to demonstrate our ability to operate in conjunction with our Allies and partners to enhance our combined strength,” said General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command. “It’s critical to bolstering our extended deterrence and defense network and capable of decisively meeting the security challenges of today and tomorrow,” he added
Through these missions, the United States enable dynamic force employment in the European theatre, providing strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners, while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries. Bomber Task Force missions underscore the transatlantic link within the Alliance.
“To uphold stability worldwide, it is imperative to have a force proficient in operating across multifarious domains,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Stillwell, 9th EBS commander. “The Agile Combat Employment framework in partnership with our Allies, aims to form an integrated unit, poised and equipped to swiftly counter any adversary aggression.”
BTF 24-2 is a routine part of Large-Scale Global Exercise 2024, an umbrella term that incorporates dozens of separate exercises and military activities, under multiple combatant commands, that enable the U.S. Joint Force to train with Allies and partners and improve shared understanding, trust and interoperability on security challenges across the globe.