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U.S. Bomber Task Force concludes, strengthens Allied air integration on Eastern Flank

NATO Allied Air Command

Dec 1 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- The conclusion of U.S. Bomber Task Force Europe on 24 November marked the end of a two-week deployment across multiple theatres, strengthening interoperability among NATO Allies and partners while demonstrating the Alliance's ability to project unparalleled Airpower.

The conclusion of Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe also marked another step in strengthening NATO's multi-domain deterrence on the eastern flank, as U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers integrated with Allied air forces from Finland, Lithuania and Sweden.

Operating from Spain, the B-52 aircraft conducted complex training missions spanning across Alliance territory. The deployment enhanced Allied interoperability, testing high-end tactics and reinforcing NATO's readiness to deter and defend in a contested security environment.

Through coordinated sorties over northern Europe, B-52 aircrews joined Finnish, Lithuanian and Swedish fighter aircraft in scenarios designed to counter anti-access and area-denial threats. Although not directly linked to Eastern Sentry, these types of missions underscore the basis for the Alliance's newest enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA): NATO's multi-domain shield on the Eastern Flank. This new operational construct integrates air, land, maritime and space capabilities into an adaptive defensive network. The integration demonstrated NATO's ability to respond rapidly and proportionately to potential airborne threats across NATO airspace.

"Such a robust deployment sustains our lethality and reinforces our ability to project global combat power at a time and place of our choosing, while deterring our potential adversaries," said U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Dougherty, Commander of the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, United States. "There is no replacement for hard power, and the B-52 personifies American strength."

Throughout the mission, B-52 crews rehearsed the find, fix, track and target (F2T2) process in coordination with NATO's E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, ensuring cross-domain awareness and interoperability.

The integration mission between the B-52s and NATO's E-3 AWACS also featured the first-ever photo and video documentation of the two aircraft flying together in formation.

This iteration of BTF illustrated the Alliance's enduring commitment to readiness and collective defence. By integrating with operations on the eastern flank, NATO underscored that Allied skies remain defended and secured.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office