B-52 Stratofortress. Photo: mapn.ro
The Ministry of Defense of Romania announced today, July 22, that American strategic bombers B-52 Stratofortress have landed on the territory of neighboring country Ukraine for the first time as part of Operation Europe Bomber Task Force.
“Allies and partner countries seize every opportunity to train together, enhance readiness, and promote peace and security in the European region,” said the Ministry of Defense in a statement.
According to the U.S. Air Force in Europe and Africa, these are two bombers belonging to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
The aircraft arrived in Romania on Sunday, July 21, at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, where the 57th Romanian Air Force Base is located and has also been used by the U.S. Air Force since 1999.
It is noted that the bombers will perform tasks as part of the 20th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron alongside NATO allies and other partners.
Additionally, during the B-52 bomber flight over the Barents Sea, they were intercepted by two Russian fighter jets. “The U.S. aircraft did not alter its course due to the interception and continued its planned flight without incident, allowing the B-52 to complete a pre-planned mission that included integration with NATO fighter jets before landing at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base,” the statement said.
Source and images: Ministerul Apararii Nationale. This content was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.
