Bomber Task Force Mission in Estonian Airspace

  • Published
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa

Yesterday two B-52s conducted a long-range Bomber Task Force mission with NATO Allies and Partners in Estonian airspace. This mission was part of normally scheduled training operations coordinated months prior to execution in accordance with flight standards specified within International Civil Aviation Organization guidelines, to include filing international flight plans and operating with due regard for the safety of all aircraft.

The flights remained within Estonian airspace the entire flight at an approx. distance of 50NM from Russian air space. At no point did B-52's make contact with Russian aircraft.

This deployment of strategic bombers helps exercise U.S. Air Forces in Europe's capability to operate bombers out of a variety of forward operating locations. The deployment is also scheduled to include joint and Allied training in the U.S. European Command theater to improve bomber interoperability.

Training with joint Partners, Allied nations and other units forges the enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges.