RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses integrated with two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons and Italian ground forces on March 7 for SPARTAN MACE, a Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission focused on enhancing close-air support interoperability.
Escorted by Eurofighter Typhoons, the B-52s entered an Italian military range near Sardinia Island, where they conducted simulated live bomb drops under the guidance of Italian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. The mission reinforced coordination between air and ground units, refining precision strike capabilities in a complex training environment.
The B-52s and aircrew are currently deployed with the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, where they are executing operations alongside NATO Allies and partners. BTF missions bolster collective readiness, improve integration, and reaffirm security partnerships across the region.
SPARTAN MACE marks the tenth operation integrating U.S. B-52s with Allied air and ground forces during this BTF 25-2.