Two B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, integrated with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partner aircraft from Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Turkey, Greece, and France as part of a long-range, long-duration strategic bomber mission throughout Europe and the Black Sea region on May 29, 2020.
Training with NATO partners contributes to enhanced resiliency and interoperability, enabling partnerships to build enduring relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges. This marks the first time US strategic bombers have partnered with Ukrainian and Turkish aircraft for a Bomber Task Force, demonstrating the US Air Force's commitment to maintaining strong partnerships and cooperation with allies and partners.
Footage released by the US Air Force showed the B-1B Lancers integrating with NATO partner aircraft, flying in formation over the Black Sea region. The mission also linked up with US Northern Command and the USS Harry S. Truman underway in the Atlantic Ocean.
The strategic bomber mission over Europe and the Black Sea region highlights the US Air Force's capability to operate alongside NATO allies and partner nations, strengthening military relationships and promoting international security. Such missions contribute to the deterrence against potential adversaries in the region, maintaining peace and stability for all nations involved.
