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US bombers land in Sweden for the first time

Swedish Jas 39 Gripens escort two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers through Swedish airspace as they make their way to Luleå Kallax Air Base, Sweden, June 19, 2023. The bombers landed in Sweden for the first time ever as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 2023-3, a long-planned bomber rotation in support of U.S. European Command and NATO deterrence initiatives. This arrival of strategic bombers in Sweden highlights U.S. and Swedish cooperation and the ability of U.S. forces to seamlessly integrate with Allied and partner nations. (Courtesy photo by Flygvapnet/the Swedish air force)

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Photo by: Flygvapnet/Swedish air force 

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bombers from the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, landed at Luleå Kallax Air Base, Sweden, for the first time in history on June 19.

U.S. Forces have conducted exercises and training in the Arctic region, but the landing fortifies not only the friendship between the U.S. and Sweden, but also the collective defense of Europe.

During a key leader event, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryony Terrell, U.S. European Command deputy director for strategy, plans and capability noted, “The U.S. and Sweden have a long history together in exercises and training, bilateral and multilateral security cooperation, and operations, of which today is one key example.”

This arrival of strategic bombers in Sweden highlights U.S. and Swedish cooperation and the ability of U.S. forces to seamlessly integrate with Allied and partner nations.

“The more we can integrate forces and equipment to maneuver across Europe, the more ready we are to face security challenges, now and in the future,” Terrell said.

Training with joint partners and Allied nations forges the enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges.

Imagery for Bomber Task Force Europe is publicly available through the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service at www.dvidshub.net/feature/bombertaskforceeurope.

For more information on Bomber Task Force Europe, please contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Public Affairs via email at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.