A U.S. B-1B Lancer from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, conducted a Bomber Task Force mission in Norway and Sweden, March 8, 2021.
During the flight, the B-1, alongside U.S. Special Operations Forces members, provided critical support to Norwegian and Swedish joint terminal attack control training. Additionally, the B-1 conducted a “warm-pit refuel” at Bodo Air Force Station, Norway, during which the crew stayed in the cockpit while the B-1 received fuel so that it could return to the mission more rapidly. The B-1 also integrated with four Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft.
Bodø Air Base just north of the Arctic Circle is home to Royal Norwegian Air Force fleet of F-16 Fightning Falcon combat aircraft and this is the first landing inside Norway’s Arctic Circle for a USAF B-1B strategic bomber.
There is no substitute for strong relationships with allies and partners like Norway and Sweden. These relationships are the bedrock of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa’s ability to assure both friends, and foes, of its capacity to respond to any global threat.
“It’s not every day that our bomber has the chance to play such a prominent role in training ally and partner JTACs,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander. “Opportunities to train alongside our allies, partners and U.S. Special Operations Forces in forward locations makes us the rapid, resilient and ready force we need to be.”
US Bomber Task Force Europe
Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective defense of the NATO alliance and are the visible demonstration of the U.S. capability of extended deterrence. Contribute to stability in the European theater. Our ability to quickly respond and assure allies and partners rests upon the fact that we are here, in Europe, forward and ready.
US Air Force B-1B Lancer strategic bombers belonging to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Ørland Air Station in Norway for a long-planned training mission to conduct training in the European theater and with partners and allies throughout Europe. This is the first time that US strategic bombers have operated from Norway.
Since 2018, US strategic bomber missions have provided aircrews with theater familiarization for members and the opportunity for US integration with NATO allies and regional partners.
US Air Force personnel training will encompass a variety of areas ranging from operating in the far north to improving interoperability with allies and partners across the European theater, let’s first think right with Norwegian F-35s, which in the meantime have just deployed in Iceland to protect the airspace of the European country and NATO. The deployment will therefore integrate fifth generation fighters with us strategic bombers, showing the allies’ progress in defense technology, capabilities and interoperability.
Photo credits: Torbjørn Kjosvold / Forsvaret