The U.S. is sending a pair of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers from their base in Missouri to England on a short-term mission in a show of support to U.S. allies overseas, according to the U.S. European command.
The $2 billion batwing aircraft are flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri to Royal Air Force Fairford, in the United Kingdom, in what a EUCOM statement described as “recurring bomber assurance and deterrence operations.”
U.S. B-52 and B-1 bombers are already forward-deployed to take part in a large military exercise in the Baltic Sea involving 14 nations called BALTOPS, and another exercise dubbed Saber Strike.
“These B-2 Spirits will not support Exercises BALTOPS or Saber Strike and will only remain in theater a short time,” the statement said. “These missions are representative of the U.S. commitment to our Allies and enhancing regional security.”
The deployment marks the first time all three of America’s long-range heavy bombers have been deployed to Europe at the same time.
