B-52 Bombers Participate in Military Drills with Six NATO Countries in Poland
Takeoff to Training: NATO Allies and B-52s in Europe
Strategic bombers from the Minot Air Force Base, N.D. recently made a transatlantic voyage for a training mission, joining forces with over two dozen allies. The exercise, called F2T2, took place on Sept. 11 and saw the bombers traveling alongside aircraft from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the U.K.
The B-52s returned to Minot on Sept. 12, completing a "double transatlantic" trip according to U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Gen. James Hecker, commander of USAFE, hailed the exercise, stating, "Our ability to work side-by-side with Allies is a key advantage."
Spain's F-18M Hornets joined the mission from Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania. The base currently hosts Spanish Air Force Hornets for NATO's Air Policing mission, along with over 150 military personnel, part of the PAZNIC Detachment. Lt. Col. Rafael Ichaso, detachment commander, expressed, "These kinds of exercises are an incredible opportunity to train and demonstrate Spanish F-18 Hornet capabilities."
Poland supplied ISR assets for the mission, while Germany and the U.K. ensured refueling support, with assistance from USAF KC-135 Stratotankers and the Royal Netherlands Air Force's F-35s, Danish Air Force's F-16s, and Germany's Tornado fighters.
The training also involved units from various domains, including air, land, sea, cyber, and space, all focused on integrating multidomain effects. Hecker called the bomber mission a "successful" demonstration of NATO's readiness.
Notably, this wasn't the first B-52 appearance in Europe in three months. In July, two B-52s touched down at Mihail Kogălniceanu for the first time, marking the bomber's inaugural flight through Finnish airspace. The exercise concluded with a professional intercept by Russian fighters.
This latest mission in Poland coincided with a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Polish officials, including a discussion with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top Ukrainian officials. Blinken and U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy had previously met in Ukraine to discuss continued support for Kyiv's defense against Russia. Poland supports Ukraine's calls for the West to approve long-range missile strikes to counter Moscow's aerial attacks.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, NATO members have been strengthening their militaries and conducting exercises. While the U.S. started bomber task force missions in Europe in 2018, there's been a steady rotation in recent months. These exercises serve multiple purposes, including validating joint operational concepts, enhancing readiness, and demonstrating allied commitment to collective defense.
Fun Fact: The B-52 Stratofortress first flew in 1952. Its design featured a unique, tubular structure, making it look like a flying saucer!
Enrichment Insight: While the provided sources don't specify the F2T2 exercise, multinational exercises with U.S. strategic bombers like the B-52 are crucial for validating operational concepts, improving integration, demonstrating commitment, and enhancing readiness. Such exercises ensure that NATO forces remain prepared for complex, high-stakes operations.
