Two more US Air Force B-1 “superstrike” bombers have landed at a Gloucestershire airbase, bringing the total number of aircraft supporting their Bomber Task Force to four. The first two supersonic bombers arrived on Tuesday, with the second two aircraft arriving yesterday as part of a reassurance mission for NATO and its allies.
The warplanes – which are nicknamed “Bones” – landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
On arrival of the first bombers, the US Air Force explained: “Two of the Texas-based supersonic bombers from Dyess Air Force Base’s 7th Bomb Wing entered the theater today by first integrating with Allies and Partners conducting NATO’s Air Policing and Air Shielding missions throughout the Baltic Sea region.
“The Baltic Sea serves as a critical economic corridor, and consistent coalition surveillance of the international air and maritime space preserves safe and secure passage for all.
“The highly agile aircraft’s 12-hour mission from North America to Europe demonstrates the US Air Force’s rapid ability to deploy anywhere, anytime, and provide lethal precision and global strike options US and Allied commanders.
“Bomber Task Force rotations support US National Defense Strategy objectives through ‘strategic predictability’ and ‘operational unpredictability,’ and the steady rotation of strategic bombers into the European theater enables interoperability and enhances operational readiness.”
Earlier this week, it was reported that the first two bombers had been confronted by a Russian jet while on deployment in the Baltic Sea.
A statement issued by Russia’s National Defense Operations Center (NDOC) said: “On March 23, 2023, Russia’s airspace surveillance spotted two air targets approaching the state border of the Russian Federation over the Baltic Sea.
“An Su-27 fighter from the Baltic Fleet’s air defence quick reaction alert forces was scrambled to identify the air targets and prevent the violation of the Russian state border.”
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The Russian border was “not violated”, the NDOC added, with the jet safely returned to its home airbase after the foreign warplanes “made a U-turn” away from Russia’s state border.
It added: “The Russian fighter’s flight proceeded in strict compliance with international rules of airspace usage.”
Asked about the incident on Tuesday, US Department of State Matthew Miller spokesman said: “I’m not aware of it and, I as I said at some point yesterday, I’m going to make it a practice not to comment on things that break out while I’m here, at the podium.”
Miller declined to comment on things which he “has not yet had a chance to confirm or discuss with my colleagues”.
