The B-1B Lancer, once part of the US nuclear deterrent force, finally made an appearance in Russian airspace. It was taking part in the 2005 Moscow International Air Show and Space Salon held last week. “It’s an honor to fly the first B-1s into Russia,” was the somewhat quirky comment from Capt. Steve Jones, a B-1B pilot from Ellsworth AFB, S.D. Jones also noted that his aircraft was parked about 300 feet away from weapons systems designed to shoot down the B-1. “It’s pretty cool,” he remarked.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.