Four US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, part of a grand “Large Scale Global Exercise,” have landed at RAF Fairford, UK, signaling NATO’s commitment to collective defense.

Amidst routine bomber task force deployments, the Stratofortresses, from the 5th Bomb Wing stationed at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, returned to the UK as an extension of their strategic partnership with NATO.

These B-52 bombers, which first entered service seven decades ago.

They integrate with European allies under Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 24-3.

These strategic bombers, projected to serve until at least the 2040s.

“During the deployment to Europe, the BTF will build on the Trans-Atlantic bond between the U.S. and European Allies,” NATO announced in a statement.

This is the third BTF deployment to Europe in 2024, following a B-1 deployment to Sweden and another to Spain.

As reported by Air and Space Forces magazine, the bombers are part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s ongoing “Large Scale Global Exercise” series, which will run through June 2024.

This deployment also marked a peculiar incident where a B-52 aircraft executed a go-around maneuver as a result of a U-2 Dragon Lady being present on the runway.

According to Cenciotti, “As the initial B-52H, designated as airframe 61-0018 and operating as GROAT 11, was preparing to land at RAF Fairford, it encountered a situation where the U-2 had just completed its landing and was still present on the runway. Consequently, the B-52 executed a go-around maneuver and safely landed a few minutes later.”

An obstruction on the runway can indeed prompt any aircraft to perform a go-around, a procedure in which the pilot discontinues the landing approach to circle back for another attempt.

The U-2, introduced into service in 1956 and capable of reaching altitudes of up to 70,000 feet, is stationed at Beale AFB in California but is regularly deployed to operational detachments across various regions worldwide.

In the previous year, the military branch disclosed plans to phase out the U-2 aircraft.

There were some similiar events recent years, in 2022 the US has flown B-52s over NATO’s eastern flank, coordinating with the German and Romanian militaries.

“During these challenging times, BTF rotations offer a vital chance for us to collaborate and train alongside our allies and partners,” stated Gen. Jeff Harrigian, who serves as the commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, Air Forces Africa, and NATO’s Allied Air Command.

Relevant articles:
– Russia Is Watching: B-52 Bombers and U-2 Spy Planes Flew for NATO Training Drills, The National Interest
– 52 bombers over NATO’s eastern flank on Friday, cnn.com
– With ‘God’s-eye view,’ secretive surveillance flights keep close watch on Russia and Ukraine, AP News
– 2, OXCART, and the SR, The George Washington University