OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. – Three B-52 Stratofortresses are scheduled to deploy June 2 from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, to RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, to participate in U.S. European Command’s Exercises Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 16 and Saber Strike 16, and U.S. Africa Command’s Just Hammer.
This deployment marks the third year in a row that strategic bombers have deployed to RAF Fairford and trained with U.S. and allied military forces.
“Integrating strategic bombers with multi-national operations in a variety of scenarios enhances the readiness and capability of U.S. and NATO military forces, which is vital to global security,” said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander. “Ensuring we can operate from strategic forward locations like RAF Fairford is integral to our collective defense capabilities and a more timely and coordinated response during crises.”
U.S. Strategic Command routinely deploys bombers to both the U.S. European Command and U.S. Pacific Command areas of responsibility to train and integrate with our allies and partners, while also demonstrating the ability to maintain command and control of the bomber force anywhere in the world. The most recent deployment of B-52s to Europe was in March in support of Exercises Cold Response and Serpentex.
One of nine DoD unified combatant commands, USSTRATCOM has global strategic missions, assigned through the Unified Command Plan, which include strategic deterrence; space operations; cyberspace operations; joint electronic warfare; global strike; missile defense; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; combating weapons of mass destruction; and analysis and targeting.
For more information, contact the USSTRATCOM Public Affairs Office at 402-294-4130 or PA@stratcom.mil or visit www.stratcom.mil.