Buffs arrive in Britain
February 17, 2025
Four Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers from arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, United Kingdom, on 11 February 2025 marking the start of Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 25-2. The four aircraft were drawn from the 5th Bomb Wing, at Minot AFB, North Dakota, and formed the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
Bomber Task Force 25-2 is a demonstration of co-operation, collaboration, integration, and solidarity to promote peace and security, underscoring the USA’s commitment to regional security and NATO’s collective defence. The deployment highlights the importance of dynamic force employment, which ensures US forces are strategically postured to deter aggression while adapting to the evolving security environment. The missions will also demonstrate the bombers’ ability to operate from multiple forward locations, exemplifying EUCOM’s approach to agility and dynamic force employment.
While transiting to Europe, the B-52s conducted a routine mission with French, Swedish and Finnish fighters. The bombers will participate in a series of exercises and training flights alongside Allied air forces throughout the deployment, building cohesion and sharpening collective capabilities.
Lt. Col. Joseph Cangealose, commander of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, said that: “Training with NATO allies strengthens our ability to operate as one team. These missions reinforce our partnerships and prepare us to deliver decisive capabilities whenever and wherever they’re needed.”
Major General Joseph Campo, US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration noted that: “Bomber Task Force missions reinforce our ability to rapidly project combat power, demonstrating US lethality and readiness in a dynamic security environment. Training alongside our Allies and partners ensures seamless integration, enhancing our collective deterrence and warfighting capability across Europe and Africa.”
BTF 25-2 will demonstrate agility in a dynamic security environment and will exercise global strike capabilities in support of assurance and deterrence objectives in a NATO context, with a particular focus on the Baltic region.
