Bomber Task Force Breaks New Ground in Europe

On 16 March 2021,Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit strategic bombers of the 509th Bomb Wing out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri were recovered at Lajes Field on Teceira Island, the Azores, Portugal.After a hot-pit refueling and crew swap with engines running,they took flight again to resume the mission,U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa said.The Spirits will conduct several Bomber Task Force Europe sorties out of Lajes, which is strategically located. According to USAFE-AFA Commander GEN Jeff Harrigian: These missions will add even more depth to this already historic BTF iteration.B-2s joining the B-1s in theater offers unique opportunities to advance our readiness as we continue to work with and learn from our allies.* The BTF missions are a visible demonstration of the US capability of extended deterrence,USAFE-AFA added.Consider what the B-2s bring to warfighting:low-observable,or "stealth," characteristics that give it the ability to penetrate an enemy's most sophisticated defences and threaten its most-valued ,heavily defended targets while avoiding adversary detection, tracking and engagement. The BTF missions showcase the United States' strong, credible bomber force while enhancing the security and stability of allies and partners.They also allow aircrew to maintain a high state of readiness and proficiency, and validate the US Air Force's always-ready global strike capability. The DOD, through US Global Strike Command, maintains command and control of its bomber force for any mission, anywhere in the world,at any time.*On 17 March,two B-2s flew out of RAF Fairford,England and met up with three Norwegian F-35As out of Keflavik Air Base,Iceland.The F-35s are part of the group of four currently conducting a NATO Air Policing Mission out of Keflavik.This was the first time Norwegian F-35s had flown with B-2 Spirit bombers,The Barents Observer reported.The historic joint mission lasted 30-45 minutes,a Norwegian source said.* Later,on Friday 19 March,a B-1B Lancer strategic bomber,one of four already deployed to Orland Air Base, Norway along with 200 Airmen in support of BTFE, and a B-2 integrated with four Norwegian F-35s off the coast of Iceland, conducting complex night operations, having launched from three different bases on two continents.They made history again as the first joint mission of the Norwegian aircraft with both the B-1B and B-2 US bombers.Noted USAFE-AFA: The sortie provided an opportunity for the aircraft to advance their cross-platform data-sharing capabilities, improving fifth generation interoperability.* By way of threats to NATO airpower,Russia has been deploying its advanced S-400 anti-aircraft missiles on the Arctic bases of Franz Josef Land;Novaya Zemlya; and the Kola Peninsula.* The B-2 has a top speed of 628 mph.It carries a crew of two-three, depending on the mission:a pilot,a commander/instructor,and perhaps a mission specialist.The nuclear-capable bomber has advanced bomber avionics technology and armament,and its radar-absorbent coating is sprayed on by robots. A B-2 pilot can activate modes for takeoff,warfighting, and landing by a single switch.Indeed, the strategic heavy bomber has a custom transportable hangar in its deployment kit.* Northrop Grumman (NOC)