The U.S. Air Force deployed two B-52H Stratofortress bombers in Finland on Nov. 25 to perform a simulated weapons drop, along with Finnish F/A-18C Hornets and Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripens, as part of Bomber Task Force 25-1.
The exercise, which presented Finland’s role as a NATO ally, contributed to strengthening the alliance’s collective defense and enabled the Air Force to learn from its Finnish counterparts.
“This Bomber Task Force mission exemplifies our unwavering commitment to our European allies and partners,” said Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. “Together, we build stronger, more strategic relationships that reinforce security and stability across the region.”
The training mission followed austere landing demonstrations in Finland in September, which marked the first-ever landing of the U.S. F-35A Lightning II stealth strike fighters on a European highway, and the participation of both countries at the Ramstein Air Base 1v1 air superiority exercise.
Before Bomber Task Force 25-1, a B-52 joined the recent Vanguard Merlin NATO exercise, during which the bomber dropped weapons over a Lithuanian military range. Another Stratofortress participated in a training mission on Nov. 18 in the United Kingdom and integrated with British Royal Air Force fighters.