Skip to content
Aerospace — Weapons

B-52 bombers depart Europe, aircraft in the Middle East to return home next.

B-52 Bombers Deployed by the US Air Force in Europe Have Completed Their Mission, with More Bombers Heading to the Middle East.

,   and  Administrator
3 min read
B-52 Air Force bombers, dispatched to Europe for a deployment mission, have now returned to their...
B-52 Air Force bombers, dispatched to Europe for a deployment mission, have now returned to their home bases. Additionally, more bombers are being prepared for deployment in the Middle East.

B-52 bombers depart Europe, aircraft in the Middle East to return home next.

Strategic Bombers Return Home

It's time to bring the BUFFs back home.

After almost a month of operations spanning Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, four B-52s, nearly 15% of the total fleet, have touched down in the United States. The rest will be back in the coming weeks.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe announced on Dec. 13 that four B-52s from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, have left RAF Fairford, England, marking the end of their Bomber Task Force rotation that began in early November.

During their time in Fairford, these B-52s kept a busy schedule, participating in various exercises, training missions, and live-fire events.

  • A rare weapons drop in Lithuania coordinated with joint terminal attack controllers from Lithuania, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Norway.
  • A simulated weapons drop training mission over Finland, involving Swedish and Finnish fighters.
  • A military exercise with Norway and the United Kingdom in the Arctic, alongside fourth- and fifth-gen aircraft.
  • A joint exercise with Morocco.

Captain Aaron Gurley, bomb task force mission planner for USAFE, said in a release, "Working alongside our Allies and partners highlights the strength of collaboration. Every mission was a testament to the power of teamwork, shared expertise, and a unified commitment to security."

Six remaining B-52s are still deployed in the Middle East from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. They're expected to return home following the deployment of the USS Harry S. Truman to U.S. Central Command on Dec. 14.

Additionally, a squadron of F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, one of two squadrons in the region, is scheduled to depart the Middle East as the Truman and its embarked Carrier Air Wing 1, consisting of multiple F/A-18 Super Hornets squadrons, arrive.

While the Pentagon didn't reveal if the extra Air Force airpower would withdraw after the Truman's arrival, Air Force Major General Patrick S. Ryder commented, "We won't announce departure activity or deployment activity in advance for multiple reasons."

The B-52s in the Middle East have had an eventful deployment as well, with one appearing at the Bahrain International Airshow for the first time and another conducting dozens of airstrikes against Islamic State leaders, fighters, and camps in central Syria alongside F-15Es and A-10s on Dec. 8.

The deployment of these B-52 bombers marked one of the most significant movements of Stratofortresses in recent history, representing around a quarter of the combat-ready fleet, although mission-ready rates can fluctuate.

Overall, this Bomber Task Force rotation served to demonstrate the United States' strategic initiatives, strengthen alliances, and showcase the versatility and combat capabilities of the U.S. Air Force across multiple theaters across the globe.

Insights:

  1. The B-52 Bomber Task Force rotation aimed to enhance military cooperation, demonstrate combat readiness, and project power across multiple regions.
  2. The deployment allowed for increased operational flexibility and flexibility in the deployment of U.S. strategic aviation assets.
  3. The mission showcased the U.S. Air Force's capacity for agile combat employment, ensuring readiness in dynamic environments.
  4. By deploying B-52 bombers, the U.S. demonstrated a credible deterrent presence, crucial in today's geopolitical climate.
  5. The deployment successfully integrated with regional forces, such as the Royal Moroccan Air Force during the African Lion exercise.
  6. The Air Force's B-52s, after a month of operations spanning various continents, are returning home to the United States, with the Space Force and the Pentagon maintaining a keen interest in their versatile capabilities.
  7. The B-52s, while in Europe, participated in exercises, training missions, and live events, collaborating with joint terminal attack controllers from several nations, including Finland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
  8. In the Middle East, the B-52s have conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria, and have also been integrated with F-15Es, A-10s, and other fourth- and fifth-gen aircraft from the military industry.
  9. The Pentagon and the Air Force have decided to keep the details of future deployments and withdrawals of these strategic bombers confidential to maintain operational security.
  10. The aerospace industry and financial leaders are closely monitoring this movement of B-52s, as it represents a significant shift in the deployment strategies of the U.S. Military, highlighting the need for continuous advancement and modernization of weapons and aircraft in the space and air force.
  11. Once back on U.S soil, these B-52s will be available for further training and missions, ensuring the Air Force remains ready to respond to any potential threats, further emphasizing its commitment to global security.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest