USAF bomber heard low and loud over Gloucestershire on latest mission
Posted: 18th November 2024
The bombers have been seen and heard roaring out of the county and back again since their arrival at RAF Fairford earlier in November
Gloucestershire Live, 18 NOV 2024
A huge B52 bomber was seen and heard flying south from Gloucestershire over Wiltshire today (Monday, November 18). Four of the US Air Force Stratofortresses are based at RAF Fairford and you.
Last week, the bombers, part of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron based at RAF Fairford, engaged with NATO Allies during a Bomber Task Force 25-1 mission. Vanguard Merlin took place at the Cudgel Range in Lithuania as part of a training exercise, on Thursday and Friday last week (November 14 and 15).
These multilateral exercises are not just training opportunities but also a symbols of support and deterrence to reassure NATO Allies and partners, the US Air Force said. The drills also offer a chance for the alliance to operate seamlessly and maintain readiness.
In the course of the exercise, a U.S B-52 Stratofortress bomber and an Italian Eurofighter Typhoon conducted air-to-ground range training, aided by joint terminal attack controllers from Lithuania, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Norway. A Norwegian team was also temporarily deployed to enhance the exercise, underscoring NATO’s dedication to the defence of its members.
“BTF comes to the European theater a few times during the fiscal year, which gives our Allies and partners invaluable training opportunities,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Inga “NATO” Wuerges, 603rd Air Operations Center tanker planner. “When we do live drops in ranges throughout NATO, all Allies and partners get the chance to enhance readiness capabilities to operate in a more diverse and challenging environment.”
Working side-by-side, nations participating in BTF exercises are able to refine their skills and share their vision for a secure and prosperous NATO Alliance. Wuerges played a pivotal role in organising the exercise and also featured in an interview with the Lithuanian talk show, ‘Labas Rytas’ or ‘Good Morning’, where she discussed her journey from growing up in Lithuania to becoming a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot in the U. S.
Air Force. “I grew up in Lithuania during the times of its struggle for independence,” Wuerges said. “I think that it uncovered my calling to serve and because I was in the United States it was acceptable for me to serve in the Air Force, in a sense that we all have to fight for our freedom.”
The mission provided an opportunity for aircrew to become acquainted with operations in Lithuania and coalition ground forces, thereby creating a force ready for combat with comprehensive capabilities and extensive capacity. This interoperability of NATO forces and equipment with our allies and partners is essential for strengthening an expansive network of proficient alliances and partnerships.
Four USAF B52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford for Bomber Task Force 25-1 earlier this month for training missions and as a show of strength. Two of the awe-inspiring bombers arrived on Tuesday, November 5 with another landing on Thursday, November 7 and a fourth on Friday, November 8.
The USAF usually provides information on training missions after the bombers have been returned