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Norway concludes intensive airpower integration as Bomber Task Force Europe returns to U.S.

NATO Allied Air Command

Aug 25 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- U.S. B-1B Lancer bombers completed two weeks of Allied-led training in Norway, strengthening integration between Norwegian and U.S. aircraft in high-threat scenarios.

The deployment saw U.S. aircrews from the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron operate alongside Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s, training to penetrate contested airspace and conduct coordinated strikes under simulated anti-access and area denial (A2AD) conditions. The mission, part of Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe, enhanced NATO's joint warfighting capability and reinforced the Alliance's ability to operate cohesively across domains.

"The more we train, the more capability we build, and strengthen the bonds between our Airmen and our Allies," said Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Campo, Director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration at U.S. Air Forces in Europe. "By working side by side in demanding environments, we gain the trust, understanding, and readiness needed to meet future challenges together."

Throughout the deployment, Allied aircrews rehearsed the full Find, Fix, Track and Target (F2T2) process in real time. Norwegian F-35s and U.S. B-1Bs jointly practised defensive escort and air-to-surface targeting, enhancing both survivability and mission effectiveness in dynamic threat environments.

"We have the F-35, which is a multi-role fighter jet, which you might say is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none," said Royal Norwegian Air Force Maj. Morgan, acting commander of the unit that integrated with the BTF. "We are able to defend other aircraft; we are also able to drop weapons onto the ground. Whereas the B-1 is more specific and has long range and high-speed capabilities.

"Hopefully we are able to be there with the F-35 to assist in fulfilling the role of the B-1 and help by protecting them but also have their support in the air-to-surface portion of warfare training," Morgan added.

As the B-1Bs redeployed to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, U.S., they conducted a rapid hot pit refueling at Lajes Field, Portugal - allowing aircraft to land, refuel with engines running, and resume flight operations swiftly.

BTF Europe is a recurring deployment aimed at reinforcing NATO's collective defence, projecting Airpower globally, and demonstrating the Alliance's unity and interoperability. Training events like this reaffirm NATO's resolve to deter aggression and defend every Ally.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office