A US Air Force Bomber Task Force deployment of B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, Airmen and support equipment from the 307th Bomb Wing and 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, has arrived at RAF Fairford, England, to conduct theater integration and flying training.
The deployment of strategic bombers to the U.K. helps exercise RAF Fairford as United States Air Forces in Europe’s forward operating location for bombers. The deployment also includes joint and allied training in the U.S. European Command theater to improve bomber interoperability.
Training with joint partners, allied nations, and other U.S. Air Force units contributes to our ready and postured forces and enables us to build enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges. Such operations are routinely conducted to demonstrate the United States’ commitment to allies and partners in the region and enhance readiness to respond to any contingencies around the globe.
The american strategic bombers are in the U.K. also to support of AMPLE STRIKE 18, a Czech-led exercise involving 19 NATO allies and partners. The exercise is designed to test interoperability with Joint Terminal Air Controllers from multiple countries. Citizen Reserve Airmen and their active-duty counterparts from multiple units are working together at RAF Fairford to support bomber operations during the exercise.
Source and photo credits: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ted Daigle