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U.S. bombers deploy to Royal Air Force Fairford for latest European bomber task force

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron lands at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England May 20, 2024. The ability to forward posture strategic bombers within the European theater enables critical touchpoints with NATO Allies and partners to advance the ability to operate as a single, cohesive force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)

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Photo by: Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer 

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U.S. B-52 strategic bombers deploy to Royal Air Force Fairford

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron prepares to enter the taxiway at Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England May 20, 2024. Maintaining a capable U.S. presence in Europe strengthens U.S. national security by encouraging peace, unity, and cohesion between Europe's individual nations. U.S. service members in Europe continue to promote global peace alongside Allies and partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer)

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Photo by: Airman 1st Class Jared Brewer 

Four U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, in the U.K., launching a routine bomber task force deployment this week.  

While deployed, the unit will operate as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron under the banner of Bomber Task Force Europe 24-3. Throughout the deployment, U.S. Air Force Airmen and aircraft will integrate with NATO Allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.  

The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to NATO Allies and partners through BTF missions. Through these missions, U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa 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.   

BTF 24-3 also falls under Large Scale Global Exercise 2024, an umbrella term used to connect military operations across multiple combatant commands. LSGE24 enables U.S. Joint Forces to train with Allies and partners and improve shared understanding, trust, and interoperability on security challenges across the globe.

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.