U.S. Air Force Rockwell B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic heavy bombers assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota launched from their deployed location at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, to train alongside Swedish air force aircraft Feb. 26. The mission, dubbed Vanguard Adler, was conducted as part of Bomber Task Force 24-2 and designed to integrate the U.S. bombers with Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters and joint terminal attack controllers operating in the Arctic and Baltic regions. The exercise included surface attack, air interdiction and close air support scenarios, all aimed at building partnerships and increasing readiness. The capability to generate sorties from locations like Luleå is a key focus area for U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. Through Vanguard Adler, BTF 24-2 sought to exercise the ability to quickly integrate forces and equipment at Allied and partner locations. All training objectives were met, according to officials
“This timely opportunity for our crews to exercise our collective defense capabilities with our Swedish partners, soon to be NATO allies, in the Artic region is incredible. It demonstrates our ironclad commitment to our partners and allies, demonstrates our expansive reach, and sends a strong deterrent message to potential adversaries,” said Lt. Col. Benjamin Jamison, 37th Bomb Squadron director of operations and BTF 24-2 lead.
The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to NATO allies and partners through BTF missions. Through these missions, USAFE-AFAFRICA enables dynamic force employment in the European theater, providing strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries. Regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers also provide critical touch points to train and operate alongside our Allies and partners while bolstering a collective response to any global conflict. BTF 24-2 marks the first multi-day deployment of U.S. Air Force bomber aircraft to Sweden.
The Rockwell B-1 Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber used by the United States Air Force. It has been nicknamed the “Bone” (from “B-One”). It is one of three strategic bombers serving in the U.S. Air Force fleet along with the B-2 Spirit and the B-52 Stratofortress as of 2024, and can carry the heaviest payload of any U.S. Air Force bomber (75,000 pounds, 34,000 kg). The program was restarted in 1981, largely as an interim measure due to delays in the B-2 stealth bomber program. The B-1A design was altered, reducing top speed to Mach 1.25 at high altitude, increasing low-altitude speed to Mach 0.96, extensively improving electronic components, and upgrading the airframe to carry more fuel and weapons. By 1988, all 100 aircraft had been delivered. The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is to begin replacing the B-1B after 2025; all B-1s are planned to be retired by 2036.
