Two U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, for Bomber Task Force 24-4, Sunday, July 21. While flying in international airspace and in accordance with international law, the U.S. B-52 were intercepted by two Russian aircraft over the Barents Sea at approximately 8 a.m. Central European Time. The U.S. aircraft did not change course due to the intercept and continued along their scheduled flight plan without incident, allowing the B-52s to perform their pre-planned mission which included integration alongside NATO fighter aircraft before landing at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base. During their deployment, the B-52s will operate out of the Romania Air Base near the Black Sea coast and integrate with NATO Allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.
This marks the first time U.S. strategic bomber aircraft have operated out of Romania. The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to NATO Allies through BTF missions. Through these multilateral missions, USAFE-AFAFRICA enables dynamic force employment in the European theatre, providing strategic predictability and assurance for Allies while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries. Regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers demonstrate how the U.S. and NATO are ready, postured, and well prepared to integrate with host-nation Allies and partners to deter threats and defend the Alliance. The deployment of this strategic capability underscores the transatlantic link within NATO and cohesion among Allied air forces.
“In today’s global environment, it is vital that we be postured to deliver a range of sustainable capability from great distances. This iteration of Bomber Task Force offers an excellent opportunity to refine our agile combat employment tactics, techniques, and procedures. Through collaborative efforts with our Allies, the U.S. enables our forces to combat current and future threats,” said General James Hecker, USAFE-AFAFRICA commander.
“The U.S. is dedicated to work alongside our NATO Allies along the eastern flank to ensure we have the combined skills and coordination capabilities necessary to maintain regional safety, security, and stability,” said General Hecker.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) since the 1950s, and NASA for over 40 years. The bomber can carry up to 70,000 pounds (32,000 kg) of weapons and has a typical combat range of around 8,800 miles (14,200 km) without aerial refueling. The bombers flew under the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until it was disestablished in 1992 and its aircraft absorbed into the Air Combat Command (ACC); in 2010, all B-52 Stratofortresses were transferred from the ACC to the new Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The B-52 completed 60 years of continuous service with its original operator in 2015. After being upgraded between 2013 and 2015, the last airplanes are expected to serve into the 2050s.
