US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers recently concluded a month-long deployment to the United Kingdom as part of Bomber Task Force Europe.
The bombers, part of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, left their forward deployed base at Royal Air Force Fairford and returned to Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on 21 September. They were the second Task Force of B-52s to visit Europe in 2022, following an earlier deployment that ended in April. During this stint, the bombers integrated with NATO Allies and partner countries, both in the sky and on the ground. From being escorted by F-35 Lighting II fighters from the Royal Norwegian Air Force to flying training missions with Balkan Allies across Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, the B-52s have had access to strategic international territories thanks to the relationships with NATO Allies and partners. Bomber Task Force Europe is a standing mission intended to help US Air Force pilots and crews familiarise themselves with European airspace and Allies. Flying from Fairford but conducting missions all over the continent, the B-52s are able to fly long-endurance missions and carry a wide spectrum of precision ordnance, both conventional and strategic, making them a powerful long-range deterrent.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Erik Jimenez, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance unit apprentice, adjusts a component on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron prior to departure at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. Jimenez was part of a Bomber Task Force focused on detterring adversaries, assuring allies and partners, strengtheing interoperability and maintaining and demonstrating readiness and lethality across Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)A B-52 Stratofortress pilot sits in the cockpit prior to takeoff at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom , Sept. 21, 2022. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater, they provide a critical role in strategic deterrence. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)Airmen from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, inspect the landing gear of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. Dozens of Airmen supported the Bomber Task Force missions which was intended to deter adversaries, assure allies and partners, strengthen interoperability, maintain and demonstrate readiness and lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)An Airman from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, inspects the underbelly of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022 Dozens of Airmen supported the Bomber Task Force mission which was intended to deter adversaries, assure allies and partners, strengthen interoperability, maintain and demonstrate readiness and lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron que on the flightline prior to takeoff at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. The aircraft were part of a Bomber Task Forcewhich is the global employment of U.S. strategic bombers, that provide strategic military advantage to achieve national and combatant commander objectives. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)An Airman from the 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, performs maintenance on the engine of a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. Dozens of Airmen supported the Bomber Task Force mission which was intended to deter adversaries, assure allies and partners, strengthen interoperability, maintain and demonstrate readiness and lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)A B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. Strategic bombers contribute to stability in the European theater, they provide a critical role in strategic deterrence. If called upon, U.S. bombers offer a rapid response capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Erik Jimenez, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance unit apprentice, adjusts a component on a B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, prior to departure at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, Sept. 21, 2022. Jimenez was part of a Bomber Task Force focused on detterring adversaries, assuring allies and partners, strengtheing interoperability, and maintaining and demonstrating readiness and lethality across Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eugene Oliver)
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