U.S. deploys B-52s to Europe for training mission

The U.S. Air Force deployed six B-52 bombers to Europe last week for training flights over the continent.

In an announcement Monday, the Air Force said the aircraft were conducting a training mission that's part of a coordinated effort across U.S. European Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Strategic Command.

The deployment of the aircraft also included more than 450 airmen who first arrived at Royal Air Force base Fairford in Great Britain, NATO said in a news release last week.

The U.S. has made similar deployments of its strategic bombers to Europe at least once annually since 2014, NATO said.

"This is a routine deployment, but it shows that the U.S. nuclear umbrella protects Europe and demonstrates the unique capabilities the U.S. could bring to Europe in a crisis," NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu said. "The B-52 deployment is yet another sign that the United States is strongly committed to NATO."

Last week, two U.S. B-52s stationed in Guam "conducted routine training in the vicinity of the South China Sea," a flashpoint for Chinese tension in the region, Pacific Air Forces said in a statement to Stars and Stripes. It was the second B-52 training exercise over the South China Sea since the beginning of March.

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Air Force receives first AC-130J Ghostrider gunship
Washington (UPI) Mar 13, 2019
The U.S. Air Force announced the delivery of its newest gunship on Wednesday as the AC-130J Ghostrider was unveiled at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The plane is an upgrade of the Block 20 AC-130J, with Block 30 improved software and avionics. The aircraft is the first to be delivered to the Air Force's 4th Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing. Additional upgraded planes are meant to retire the AC-130U planes the Air Force has used for over 20 years. "The Block 30 AC-13 ... read more