The U.S. is sending three B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to the United Kingdom for a series of exercises meant to demonstrate “the United States’ ability to project its flexible, long-range global strike capability.”
The month-long June deployment will be to Royal Air Force Base Fairford and is meant to underscore the U.S. commitment to its European allies at a time of Russian military buildup in Ukraine.
The bombers and 330 airmen supporting them will participate in two exercises, Baltops 15 and Saber Strike 15, “over international waters in the Baltic Sea and the territory of the Baltic states and Poland,” the Air Force said.
The bombers will demonstrate their abilities to perform air intercept, inert ordinance drops and close air support during the exercises.
“This deployment to RAF Fairford was specifically designed and closely coordinated with the United Kingdom and our regional Allies to ensure maximum opportunities to synchronize and integrate our bomber capabilities with their military assets,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander. The deployment “demonstrates our nation’s steadfast commitment to promoting regional stability and security, fostering cooperation and increasing interoperability as we work alongside our allies toward mutual goals.”
