Ten Boeing B-52H Stratofortresses are currently deployed across Europe and the Middle East, representing nearly 15 percent of the entire U.S. Air Force fleet and an even larger chunk of combat-ready B-52s available.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe announced on 8 November 8 that four B-52s have deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K., for a Bomber Task Force. That deployment comes on top of six B-52s that arrived in the Middle East a few weeks ago to deter Iran and its proxies in the region.
The bombers that went to Europe kicked off their deployment by flying alongside Finnish F-18 Hornets and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens – a noteworthy integration with NATO’s two new allies in the Arctic region.
“This Bomber Task Force mission exemplifies our unwavering commitment to our European Allies and partners. Together, we build stronger, more strategic relationships that reinforce security and stability across the region,” Gen. James Hecker, commander of USAF, said in a statement
The four aircraft arrived over three days. 60-0024 arriving on 5 November as ‘Flux 12’ followed later in the day by 60-008 , ‘Flux 11’, this being the example to have first operated over Finland prior to arrival. 61-0010 was the third to arrive on 7 November as ‘Rope 32’ followed on 8 November by 61-0036, ‘Rope 31’.
The latter has a red fin stripe whilst the others have an assortment. 60-0008 is specially marked as ‘8thAF’ with the fin stripe aligning to this also, 61-0010 is marked ‘343rdBS’ whilst 60-0024 is the normal blue stripe emblazened with ‘Barkesdale’. All are thought to being operated by the 20th Bomb Squadron.
As yet the length of the deployment has not been confirmed but with these and the other six deployed in the Middle East, this represents around a fifth of the current deployable B-52H force that is believed to number 54. Others are of course either held in reserve, or not considered part of the deployable force.
by Peter Foster
