B-52 Stratofortress bombers from the USAF 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, travelled over the Atlantic to join the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron’s (EBS) B-1B Lancers over the North Sea to support the Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe series on November 10.
The B-52s and B-1Bs carried out a targeting mission throughout the region and where also joined by escorting fighter assets during the mission. A pair of RAF Typhoon FGR4s escorted the bombers as well as multiple F-15C/D and F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath joined the mission. The mission was provided air-to-air refuelling capabilities by RAF Mildenhall and the 100th Air Refueling Wing with a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker in the area.
All these combined assets created a force capable of executing super and sub-sonic strike capabilities with a diverse range of conventional and precision guided weapons.
Gen Jeff Harrigian, USAF in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander said: “Our ability to strike air, land, and sea targets with a coalition fighting force goes unmatched. Combining unique bomber strike packages with ally and partner capabilities offered within the European theatre builds brings a force, which can counter any threat to our collective safety and security.”
