U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses continued a busy bomber task force deployment to Europe by participating in multiple drills with NATO partners last week, including simulated weapons targeting exercises and a live munitions drop in Finland.
On March 6, B-52s flew a mission with Dutch F-35s, German KC-30 tankers, NATO’s alliance-owned E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, and U.S. and U.K. Royal Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint signals intelligence aircraft in Estonian airspace, according to NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The mission simulated a Find, Fix, Track, and Target mission in which the aircraft practiced locating, identifying, and engaging a simulated threat.
“The exercises are designed to improve interoperability by integrating ISR assets with strike-capable aircraft in real-time targeting scenarios,” NATO Allied Air Command said in a March 10 news release.
According to NATO, Estonian ground forces also participated with the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)—surface-to-surface missiles that can be fired from M270 and HIMARS mobile launchers.
“Participants were tasked with locating and tracking potential targets and then coordinating a simulated strike within a specified timeframe, both pre-planned and dynamic targets,” NATO AIRCOM said.
The goal was to enhance NATO’s ability to conduct counter-anti-access/area denial, known as counter-A2AD—the ability to roll back enemy defenses to allow aircraft to get through contested airspace—and improve its integrated air and missile defense.
The Find, Fix, Track, and Target exercise of “potential threats from the ground shows that NATO, as a defensive Alliance, is prepared to timely respond to any possible challenges,” Gen. James B. Hecker, the commander of NATO Allied Air Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) said in a release.
The two B-52s then proceeded to Rovajärvi Range in Finland, where they dropped GBU-38 JDAM guided bombs, supported by Finnish Army and American Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs). The B-52s were escorted by Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornets, which captured video of the bombing practice.
A day later on March 7, two B-52s practiced providing close air support with the Italian military. Escorted by Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, the B-52s conducted simulated bomb drops on a range on the Italian island of Sardinia, guided by Italian JTACs, according to USAFE.
Four B-52s with the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., are currently deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K. for the bomber task force.
Two B-52 crews plan to fly over Sweden on March 11, marking the one-year anniversary of the country’s accession to NATO.