U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, landed at Ørland Air Base in Norway on Saturday to join NATO-led training operations under the latest Bomber Task Force Europe mission.
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Simulated Threats
During the deployment, bomber crews will fly complex training missions in high-threat airspace, practicing the “find, fix, track and target” process alongside allied forces.
According to U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, the exercises will challenge aircrews to respond rapidly to simulated air and ground threats that limit freedom to maneuver and strengthen their ability to gain air superiority in contested environments.
Enhanced Readiness
“This deployment allows us to train the way we fight — integrated with our NATO Allies, ready and adaptive,” Lt. Col. Eric Alvarez, 345th Bomb Squadron deployed commander, said in a statement. “It’s about building experience and trust together, enhancing readiness and staying sharp in dynamic environments.”
This marks the fifth Bomber Task Force Europe deployment in 2025.
In March, two B-52H Stratofortress bombers conducted a joint inert weapons drop exercise in Turkey, escorted by Turkish F-16s. This followed previous B-52 missions in November, which included a simulated weapons drop in Finland alongside Finnish and Swedish aircraft, and a live-fire exercise in Lithuania during NATO’s Vanguard Merlin exercise.