RAMSTEIN, Germany - Following a month-long deployment in Europe, Bomber Task Force 25-2 (BTF 25-2) concludes as the 69th Bomb Squadron’s Knighthawks return home to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
Four United States B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers arrived at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, on February 11, 2025, along with 224 personnel. Whilst in the European theatre the bombers integrated with a number of Allied air forces including; Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Finland, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
The seamless integration between the 69th and our Allies and partners has been so impressive
“BTF 25-2 has been a tremendous success. Every single Airman here has proved themselves to be the professional and lethal force that the 69th is known to be,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Cangealose, Commander of the 69th Bomb Squadron. “This team accomplished every objective and goal that we came out here for.”
During the deployment, the bombers conducted the first live weapons drop in Sweden and Finland since they nation joined the Alliance. Photo curtesy of the United States Air
Four United States B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers arrived in Fairford, United Kingdom for their month long deployment. Photo curtesy of the United States Air Force
Whilst in the European theatre the bombers integrated with Allied air forces; Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye and the UK. Photo curtesy of the United States Air Force
The Knighthawks accumulated hundreds of flight hours, and the missions executed offered training and integration opportunities for Allied forces to refine and enhance common tactics, techniques and procedures. 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.
“The seamless integration between the 69th and our Allies and partners has been so impressive,” said Cangealose. “What we’ve accomplished is a clear demonstration that our Allied Air Forces are more lethal than ever.”
The strategic relationship between the U.S. and its Allies creates interoperability that is critical to ensuring the defence of NATO’s shared values. BTF 25-2 is the most recent example of how regular and routine deployment of U.S. strategic bombers provides critical touchpoints to train and operate alongside Allies and partners and improve shared understanding, trust and interoperability on security challenges across the globe.