RAMSTEIN, Germany - Four U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, on May 22, 2024 to commence Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 24-3.
BFT missions enable U.S. joint forces to train with Allies and partners to improve shared understanding, trust, and interoperability
Whilst deployed, the unit will operate as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and will integrate with NATO Allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.
During the deployment to Europe, the BTF will build on the Trans-Atlantic bond between the U.S. and European Allies. Demonstrating the commitment to the Alliance, the bombers provide strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries.
Landing at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, United Kingdom, May 20, 2024, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress demonstrates the ability to forward posture strategic bombers within the European theatre enabling critical touchpoints with NATO Allies.
U.S. Air Force photo by Jared Brewer.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress moves along the taxiway at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, United Kingdom, May 20, 2024. U.S. European Command’s joint forces are engaged, postured, and ready with credible force to assure, deter, and defend in an increasingly complex security environment.
U.S. Air Force photo by Jared Brewer.
A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress moves along the taxiway at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, United Kingdom, May 20, 2024. “Deter and Defend” is the framework from which NATO demonstrates capability and willingness to defend Allied nations and citizens.
U.S. Air Force photo by Jared Brewer.
The regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers provide critical touch points to train and operate alongside Allies whilst bolstering a collective response to any global threat.
BFT missions enable U.S. joint forces to train with Allies and partners to improve shared understanding, trust, and interoperability. The missions also enable crews to maintain a high state of readiness and validate the U.S. Air Force’s global strike capability in multi-domain operations.
BTF 24-3 will demonstrate Agility in a dynamic security environment and global strike capabilities in support of assurance and deterrence objectives also in a NATO context with one focus on the Baltic region.