U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa
Published August 22, 2020
Two B-52 Stratofortressess fly overhead at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater as they are intended to deter conflict rather than instigate it. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
Two B-52 Stratofortressess fly overhead at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. Strategic bomber missions enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
A B-52 Stratofortress prepares to land at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. The Department of Defense maintains command and control of its bomber force for any mission, anywhere in the world at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
Two B-52 Stratofortressess taxi on the runway at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. The Department of Defense maintains command and control of its bomber force for any mission, anywhere in the world at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
A B-52 Stratofortress flies overhead at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. U.S. Strategic Command regularly tests and evaluates the readiness of strategic assets to ensure we are able to honor our security commitments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
A B-52 Stratofortress lands at RAF Fairford , England, Aug. 22, 2020.The U.S. Air Force is engaged, postured and ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
A B-52 Stratofortress flies overhead at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater as they are intended to deter conflict rather than instigate it. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
A B-52 Stratofortress lands at RAF Fairford, England, Aug. 22, 2020. Our ability to quickly respond and assure allies and partners rests upon the fact that we are here, in Europe, forward and ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
A B-52H Stratofortress taxiis prior to takeoff, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Bomber missions enhance readiness and provide the training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
Six B-52H Stratofortresses take off, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The bomber aircraft will conduct theater integration and flight training across Europe and Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
Six B-52H Stratofortresses take off, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota. The bomber aircraft will conduct theater integration and flight training across Europe and Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
A B-52H Stratofortress takes off, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota. The bomber aircraft will conduct theater integration and flight training across Europe and Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
A B-52 Stratofortress taxis prior to takeoff, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Bomber missions enhance readiness and provide the training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jan K. Valle)
A B-52H Stratofortress prepares to taxi prior to takeoff, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota. Bomber missions enhance readiness and provide the training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
Airmen from the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ensure aircraft readiness prior to takeoff, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The readiness of the 5th AMXS enables the U.S. Air Force is engaged and ready with credible fores to assure, deter, and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
Airmen from the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ensure aircraft readiness prior to takeoff, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The readiness of the 5th AMXS enables the U.S. Air Force is engaged and ready with credible forces to assure, deter, and defend in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jan K. Valle)
Aircrew from the 23rd Bomb Squadron prepare for a mission, Aug. 21, 2020, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Bomber missions enable aircrews to maintain a high state or readiness proficiency, and validated our always-ready global strike capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jan K. Valle)
Six U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, arrived Aug. 22, 2020, at RAF Fairford, England for a long planned training mission where the aircraft will conduct theater and flight training across Europe and Africa.
The strategic bomber missions, which have been occurring since 2018, provide theater familiarization for aircrew members and opportunities for U.S. integration with NATO allies and regional partners. The bomber missions enhance readiness and provide the training necessary and respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe. There have been more than 200 successful flight sorties coordinated with allies and partners since the Bomber Task Force missions began.
“B-52s are back at RAF Fairford, and will be operating across the theater in what will be a very active deployment. Our ability to quickly respond and assure allies and partners rests upon the fact that we are able to deploy our B-52s at a moment’s notice,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander. “Their presence here helps build trust with our NATO allies and partner nations and affords us new opportunities to train together through a variety of scenarios.”
Ongoing planned bomber missions showcase the Air Force’s ability to continue to execute flying missions, sustain readiness and support our allies and partners, regardless of any external challenge to include the current global COVID-19 crisis response or other current events within Europe and Africa.
Continuing coverage of this deployment will be available on this website, and on the DVIDS hub at: https://www.dividshub.net/feature/bombertaskforceeurope.