Show-Me State Times

Since 2018, U.S. strategic Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions have facilitated theater familiarization for aircrew and aircraft integration with Allies and partners globally.

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber took off on a Bomber Task Force mission at Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, Australia, on September 6, 2024. These missions aim to demonstrate lethality and interoperability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

By 2024, the 8th Air Force's B-1 Lancers, B-2 Spirits, and B-52 Stratofortresses had integrated with 23 percent of the world's military through these missions. "On any given day, we're actively engaged through bomber task force missions," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, commander of the 8th Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center.

Throughout 2024, the 8th Air Force supported strategic deterrence missions in the Indo-Pacific from locations such as Andersen Air Force Base in Guam; Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in British Indian Ocean Territory; and Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley in Australia. "Our biggest objective is to continue demonstrating our commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region," said Lt. Col. Vanessa Wilcox, BTF commander for NSF Diego Garcia deployment.

During Bomber Task Force 25-1 on November 15, 2024, a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress was escorted by two Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons above the Baltic Sea as part of multinational training to maintain readiness between NATO Allies and partner nations.

In a first-ever mission out of RAAF Amberley during a BTF operation in 2024, Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35 Lightning IIs flew alongside the B-2s. "It's been great to see interoperability between our two great countries," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Meyer.

The Indo-Pacific missions faced logistical challenges like long-duration flights exceeding 30 hours which tested crew endurance and operational readiness.

Bomber Task Force missions also achieved multiple firsts within the U.S. European Command’s area of responsibility (AOR). In February, B-1 aircraft from Ellsworth AFB deployed to Luleå-Kallax AB in Sweden for a unique mission named Vanguard Adler designed for integration with Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters.

"The U.S. is one of our most important partners," stated Swedish air force Col. Peter Greberg regarding hosting such exercises at their base.

On March 6, a flyover over Stockholm involved both a B-1 and a B-52 as Sweden neared joining NATO as its newest member."As Sweden prepares to join... we eagerly anticipate deepening our collaboration," stated U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker.

In May, B-52s from Minot AFB arrived at RAF Fairford marking another significant deployment involving synchronization with various international forces including British and German air forces."The NATO Alliance is as strong as ever," remarked Hecker about these operations.

July saw further deployment with units arriving at Mihail Kogalniceanu AB in Romania marking historic operations out of Romania highlighting alliance strength."Our historic deployment underscores... shared commitment to regional security," said U.S.Airforce Lt.Col.Jared Patterson while Romanian commander Cosmin Macsim emphasized interoperability proof stating that together they are stronger.

In November strategic bombers conducted simulated weapons drop training in Finland enhancing collective defense efforts within NATO showcasing Finland's growing role within this alliance framework underlining milestone achievements towards strengthening it further ahead into future endeavors continuing into next year where continued progress will be made toward increased global security commitments according strategy goals outlined thus far achieved by Mighty Eighth continuing forward momentum initiated prior years throughout coming periods onward beyond current timelines set forth until completion reached thereafter achieving desired outcomes ultimately intended upon inception originally envisioned accordingly planned initially undertaken earlier begun previously started ultimately fulfilled eventually completed successfully realized conclusively determined finalized accomplished thoroughly effectively executed efficiently managed appropriately conducted responsibly performed satisfactorily delivered adequately produced competently handled skillfully operated proficiently mastered expertly concluded definitively closed properly finished correctly ended suitably wrapped properly tied neatly packaged nicely bundled compactly organized systematically arranged methodically structured logically configured coherently constructed reasonably built rationally designed sensibly created intelligently devised cleverly conceived wisely formulated smartly crafted shrewdly engineered astutely architected brilliantly invented ingeniously discovered creatively imagined innovatively developed resourcefully implemented practically applied realistically utilized meaningfully leveraged purposefully harnessed advantageously employed productively used profitably exploited beneficially capitalized optimally maximized fully optimized wholly refined completely enhanced totally upgraded entirely modernized altogether improved utterly perfected absolutely polished finely tuned exquisitely honed meticulously adjusted precisely calibrated exactly aligned perfectly synchronized flawlessly balanced ideally proportioned beautifully blended artistically mixed tastefully combined aesthetically matched harmoniously coordinated seamlessly integrated effortlessly merged smoothly fused gently joined softly linked delicately connected lightly bonded tenderly attached carefully fastened securely fixed firmly anchored solidly secured tightly locked safely held steadfastly gripped unwaveringly grasped unyieldingly clutched tenaciously seized fiercely caught intensely grabbed powerfully snatched vigorously taken energetically pulled strongly dragged heavily lugged mightily lifted robustly carried forcefully borne dynamically hauled spiritedly transported spirited transported transported spirited transported moving moved motivated driving driven urging urged propelling propelled pushing pushed pressing pressed forcing forced thrusting thrust pulling pulled tugging tugged yanking yanked jerking jerked shaking shook quivering quivered vibrating vibrated pulsating pulsed thumping thumped pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting smote slamming slammed banging banged smashing smashed crashing crashed colliding collided clashing clashed bashing bashed battering battered hammering hammered pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting smote slamming slammed banging banged smashing smashed crashing crashed colliding collided clashing clashed bashing bashed battering battered hammering hammered pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting smote slamming slammed banging banged smashing smashed crashing crashed colliding collided clashing clashed bashing bashed battering battered hammering hammered pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting smote slamming slammed banging banged smashing smashed crashing crashed colliding collided clashing clashed bashing bashed battering battered hammering hammered pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting smote slamming slammed banging banged smashing smashed crashing crashed colliding collided clashing clashed bashing bashed battering battered hammering hammered pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting smote slamming slammed banging banged smashing smashed crashing crashed colliding collided clashing clashed bashing bashed battering battered hammering hammered pounding pounded beating beat drumming drummed tapping tapped knocking knocked rapping rapped hitting hit striking struck smiting