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Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses conducted the bomber aircraft’s first-ever live weapons drop in Sweden on March 11 during Bomber Task Force mission VIKING NEBULA.
The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO.
The flyover, coordinated with Swedish defense officials, highlights the strong security cooperation between Sweden, the United States, and other NATO air forces. Bomber Task Force missions provide critical opportunities to integrate and train with regional partners.
Sweden’s partnership has been crucial to the success of our Bomber Task Force operations,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kendall “Spartan” Smith, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Bomber Task Force chief. “Access to their airspace, logistical support and seamless integration with U.S. bomber aircraft have made joint missions more efficient and effective.”
During the mission, the aircraft were escorted by two Swedish JAS 39 Gripens to the Vidsel Test Range, where they released GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions. Ground support was provided by U.S. and Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. The mission reinforced coordination between air and ground units, refining precision strike capabilities in a new, complex training environment. “Through detailed planning and deliberate coordination, we’ve built a stronger coalition with our Arctic Allies to hone our collective ability to deploy large, combat-credible forces and strengthened NATO’s deterrence capabilities in the High North,” Smith said.
The B-52s and aircrew are currently deployed with the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, where they continue to execute operations alongside NATO Allies and partners across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, bolstering collective lethality and improving integration.
VIKING NEBULA marks the eleventh operation completed during this BTF iteration.
For more information, please contact the USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs office at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.
