As part of training activities and in an effort to reinforce the message of deterrence in the region, a U.S Air Force B-52H strategic bomber carried out simulated launches in Finland while being escorted by an F/A-18 fighter of the local Air Force. According to the institution, which released a brief statement this morning through its official social media accounts, the activity took place with the support of Finnish joint terminal attack controllers, who were responsible for designating a series of targets at the Sotinpuro firing range.
Expanding on the details, the Finnish Air Force indicated that the U.S. bomber involved in the exercise is one of those recently deployed to Spain, specifically to Morón Air Base. These aircraft are originally based at Barksdale Air Force Base in the state of Louisiana and have arrived on the European continent to take part in a series of training operations that form part of the mission known as Bomber Task Force Europe 26-1, which will also include Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, and other regional allies.
According to the available information, the main objective behind this significant deployment lies in providing opportunities for U.S. bomber crews to refine their tactics and procedures, as well as to strengthen operational ties with other allied Air Forces. In this way, the deployed units are expected to contribute to maintaining an agile and flexible defense posture in the face of growing threats in the Arctic and along Europe’s eastern borders.
In this regard, as reported by Escenario Mundial on November 10, the U.S. decision to deploy B-52H bombers to European territory seeks to serve as a direct response to the frequent flights of Russian Aerospace Forces bombers, such as the Tu-95MS and Tu-160 models, thereby signaling a more balanced strategic outlook. Moreover, the deployment comes at a time when Nordic countries are advancing in the execution of high-level air exercises aimed at enhancing integration among them, with the focus placed on the Russian threat.
As an illustrative example of this, the Finnish Air Force itself is preparing to employ its F/A-18 fighters in the Imminent Field 25 exercise, which is scheduled to take place between November 23 and 28. This activity will be characterized not only by the intensive flight schedule that Finnish aircraft are expected to undergo but also by the fact that they will operate from civilian roads to increase deployment flexibility in the event of a conflict.
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