UK and Norwegian F-35s escort US B-52 during Global Thunder 27
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For the first time, British F-35B stealth fighters have escorted a US B-52 bomber in the High North
The F-35Bs took off from HMS Prince of Wales and were joined in the escort by Norwegian F-35As flying from the mainland.
Norwegian and British F-35s escort US B-52 in exercise
The Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales, accompanied by HMS Dauntless, is currently taking part in Operation Firecrest as part of Neptune Strike 26-4. The group has been joined by Norway’s HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen.
On the 24th of October, the British F-35Bs from the embarked 617 Squadron joined Norwegian F-35As in escorting a US Air Force B-52. An RAF Voyager tanker (Airbus A330 MRTT) also took part.
Images released show the bomber flanked by six F-35 fighter jets with three on each side in close formation.
A second B-52 had been expected to take part (callsign HUSH 12), but it suffered a technical issue and did not make it, according to the media reports. The lone B-52 took off from Minot Air Base in North Dakota with the callsign HUSH 11 and was refuelled by multiple aerial refuelling tankers en-route.
Phase two of Operation Firecrest
Operation Firecrest is the second phase of the 2026 UK Carrier Strike Group deployment to the High North and involves Norwegian, Danish, and German forces.
The Royal Navy has repeatedly mentioned Operation Firecrest and other multinational efforts in the High North in the context of increased Russian aggression in the region and safeguarding strategic infrastructure such as sub-sea cables.
The British carrier strike group posted, “For the first time, an American B-52 was escorted by British F-35s, whilst working alongside Norwegian F-35s. A milestone for the UK, USA and Norway, and another example of what can be achieved when allies work as one.”
The Royal Navy stated the carrier strike group demonstrated the “operational effectiveness of Carrier Strike, launching UK F-35s, to escort a US B-52 along with Norwegian F-35s…”
Norway is notable for being the first country to officially complete its F-35 programme of record, having received all of its 52 planned fighter jets. It has divested of its legacy F-16 fighter jets to Romania and Ukraine.
The US’s Global Thunder 27
Global Thunder exercises are large-scale training programmes that see US strategic forces and supporting units, alongside invited allied forces, simulate the build-up to and execution of a nuclear war scenario.
USSTRATCOM announced US Strategic Command began its annual Global Thunder nuclear command and control exercise on 22nd of October. USSTRATCOM states its purpose is to “enhance nuclear readiness and ensure a safe, secure, effective and credible strategic deterrent force.”
The US stated that the exercise is not in response to actions by any nation or current world events. The exercise can see an increase in bomber and other aircraft flights.
USSTRATCOM posted that the joint operation with British and Norwegian forces visibly demonstrated a “shared commitment to global security and stability.”
An official NATO statement noted it demonstrated the ability of British, US, and Norwegian forces to “integrate strategic airpower with advanced fighter capability across the High North.”
