Two U.S. B-52 bombers conducted a training mission over Finland, simulating weapons drops alongside Finnish and Swedish fighter jets. The operation aligns with NATO’s collective defense initiatives as Finland bolsters its military capabilities following its recent NATO membership.
The bombers departed from Fairford Air Base in England, flying over the North Sea, Denmark and the Baltic Sea before entering Finnish airspace. According to the Finnish Air Force, the exercises included simulated air-to-ground drops and demonstrated coordination in fire-use missions. Finnish officials emphasized that such drills enhance defense readiness and contribute to NATO’s presence in the region.
The bilateral cooperation between Finland and the United States strengthens Finland's defence capability.
— Ilmavoimat (@FinnishAirForce) November 25, 2024
🇫🇮 F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and 🇺🇸 B-52 Stratofortress bombers flew a training mission in Finnish airspace on 25 November 2024.#ilmavoimat #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/NAMKgPLqZl
The mission follows Russia’s announcement of deploying a hypersonic missile in Ukraine, which reportedly has the capability to reach European capitals within minutes. During the training, Russian fighter jets reportedly intercepted the U.S. bombers near Kaliningrad. U.S. officials described the encounter as safe and professional, with the bombers continuing on their planned route.
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The B-52H Stratofortress, a long-range bomber, was configured for conventional weapons during the mission. The aircraft can carry up to 70,000 pounds of armaments, including nuclear and precision-guided conventional weapons. Of the 76 bombers in the U.S. fleet, 46 are nuclear-capable.
This mission follows similar NATO exercises conducted earlier this year, highlighting Finland’s increasing role in alliance activities. Both the U.S. Air Force and the Russian Defense Ministry have declined to comment further.
Tags: fighter jets, Finland, Hypersonic missile, NATO, Russia, Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Defense Ministry, Sweden
[craig nigrelli]
TWO U.S. B-52 BOMBERS CONDUCTED A TRAINING MISSION OVER FINLAND, SIMULATING WEAPONS DROPS ALONGSIDE FINNISH AND SWEDISH FIGHTER JETS. THE EXERCISE, REPORTED BY SOME OUTLETS AS A “WARNING TO RUSSIA,”, COMES AS ONE OF NATO’S NEWEST MEMBERS STRENGTHENS ITS DEFENSE CAPABILITIES.
THE BOMBERS FLEW FROM ENGLAND’S FAIRFORD AIR BASE, CROSSING THE NORTH SEA, DENMARK, AND THE BALTIC SEA BEFORE ENTERING FINNISH AIRSPACE. THE FINNISH AIR FORCE SAID THE DRILLS INCLUDED SIMULATED AIR-TO-GROUND DROPS AND DEMONSTRATED COORDINATION IN FIRE-USE MISSIONS. THE U.S. AIR FORCE DIDN’T SPECIFY THE SIMULATED WEAPONS, BUT EXPERTS CONFIRMED THE BOMBERS WERE CONFIGURED FOR CONVENTIONAL ARMS.
FINLAND, WHICH SHARES AN 830-MILE BORDER WITH RUSSIA, JOINED NATO IN 2023 AFTER RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE. FINNISH OFFICIALS STATED THAT JOINT EXERCISES AIM TO ENHANCE DEFENSE CAPABILITIES AND SUPPORT NATO’S REGIONAL PRESENCE.
THE MISSION FOLLOWS RUSSIA’S DEPLOYMENT OF A NEW HYPERSONIC MISSILE IN UKRAINE, REPORTEDLY CAPABLE OF REACHING EUROPEAN CAPITALS WITHIN MINUTES.
THE B-52H STRATOFORTRESS IS CAPABLE OF CARRYING UP TO 70,000 POUNDS OF CONVENTIONAL OR NUCLEAR WEAPONS. OF THE 76 BOMBERS IN THE U.S. FLEET, 46 ARE NUCLEAR-CAPABLE.
THIS FLIGHT FOLLOWS OTHER NATO TRAINING MISSIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR, REFLECTING FINLAND’S GROWING ROLE IN ALLIANCE ACTIVITIES. NEITHER THE U.S. AIR FORCE NOR THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL COMMENTS.
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