First-ever accomplishments of Bomber Task Force missions in 2024

Aimed at supporting strategic deterrence missions to enforce rules-based international order, the Allied 8^th Air Force had a lot of tasks on its hands in 2024. A number of locations across the globe were chosen for that in the Indo-Pacific region, like Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; and Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, Australia.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, 8th Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander explained, “On any given day, we’re actively engaged through bomber task force missions.” “In fact, about 60 percent of the year we are deployed to a theater or providing continental U.S. (CONUS) -to-CONUS flights in support of theaters or in support of U.S. Strategic Command and the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

B-52 Stratofortresses, B-2 Spirits and B-1 Lancers from the 8th Air Force have amalgamated with about 23 percent of the world’s military. All this is now a part of Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions and operations since 2024.

Across the planet, U.S. strategic bomber task force missions along with Allies and partners provided theater familiarization for aircrew and aircraft integration opportunities since 2018.

Similarly, for the purpose of testing and reinforcing the readiness and endurance of the crew, long-duration flights going beyond 30 hours, were managed. This was apart from important logistical challenges handled by the Indo-Pacific BTF missions.

Lt. Col. Vanessa Wilcox, BTF commander for the NSF Diego Garcia deployment said, “Flying for over 24 hours, pushing into the 30-hour range, was a challenge. It builds on our readiness and training to the capabilities we need to reach different parts of the globe, specifically across the Pacific.”

The Indo-Pacific region has received Bomber aircraft support from the 8th Air Force, including forces from each of the three segments situated at various locations on the planet.

Lt Wilcox said, “Our biggest objective is to continue demonstrating our commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region and to our allies there, showing our dedication to these global relationships.”

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Meyer, 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron commander talked about their air force cooperation with Japan. “It’s been great to see interoperability between our two great countries and our ability to integrate together has made this mission very successful.”

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35 Lightning IIs flew with the B-2 bombers for the first time in 2024. During the said BTF mission from RAAF Amberley, the Japanese air force crew operated along with the 8^th Air Force.

Added Lt. Col. Meyer, “The operations we conducted have helped to enhance joint force lethality and demonstrated our ability to operate globally.”

In the Euro-Atlantic region, Bomber Aircraft support was provided by the BTF missions through multiple missions in the U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) area of responsibility (AOR). Being the first-ever mission of this kind, the continuity was further enhanced by the B-1 aircraft, aircrew and maintainers.

Hailing from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, they were deployed to Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, as part of BTF 24-2.

During the finalization of becoming the latest entrant in the NATO Alliance, on 6^th March, a B-1 and a B-52 did a flyover in Stockholm, Sweden.

Swedish Air Force Col. Peter Greberg, Norrbotten Wing commander said, “The U.S. is one of our most important partners and having them here at the base is very good logistic training for us to be able to host.” He also said that since the operations weren’t done regularly, it was a very good training in being a Bomber escort.

Col. Greberg was talking about the Allied Forces mission held at the Arctic and Baltic regions by the joint terminal attack controllers. The mission deployment included the B-1s participating in a unique mission, Vanguard Adler, designed to combine the U.S. bombers with Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters.

U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command said, “As Sweden prepares to join the NATO Alliance as its 32nd member, we eagerly anticipate deepening our collaboration with our Swedish Allies.

According to him, “Initiatives like this joint flyover are just the beginning, as we work together to advance international stability and security.”

NATO is preparing to become a collective force to tackle aggression as per the statement from Hecker. He said, “The NATO Alliance is as strong as ever. Integrating with our Allies makes us a more lethal collective force, ready to counter aggression at a moment’s notice.”

He put forward the statement during the deployment of B-52s assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota. Arriving at Royal Air Force Fairford, England after kicking off BTF 24-3 in May, U.S. Airmen aircraft cooperated with NATO Allies and other international partners.

These operations were conducted to synchronize U.S. Air Force capabilities and confirm security pledges from the USEUCOM AOR. Integration was done with the British, Swedish, French, Lithuanian, Polish, German, and Spanish air forces.

The Romanian Air Force commander Cosmin Macsim, deputy commander of Mihail Kogălniceanu AB was sure enough to explain about the commitment between the U.S. regarding regional security. He said, “We are showing the proof of interoperability and that together, we are stronger.” He highlighted about maintaining freedom of movement and navigation across the region while being enthusiastic about the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and Romania.

In the similar vein, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jared Patterson, 20th EBS commander stated, “Our historic deployment underscores the strength and resilience of the U.S.-Romania alliance and our shared commitment to regional security and NATO’s collective defense.”

The pledges and confirmations from both forces came in July, when B-52s assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu AB, Romania. It was for the first time that U.S. strategic bomber aircraft operated outside Romania for BTF 24-4.

Finland was also brought under the ambit of NATO forces in November, during the deployment of strategic bombers there. Included in the mission were the simulated weapons drop which trained the Finnish Air Force for the first time.

B-52s from the 2^nd BW deployed to RAF Fairford started the BTF 25-1 operations, showcasing Finland’s increasing role within the NATO Alliance. This is considered to be yet another milestone towards the consolidation of NATO’s joint defense.

Commitment to stability, strategic deterrence and world security are some of the key points on which the U.S. is consolidating its influence. In 2025, the joint Allied forces from Air Force 8 are sure to enlarge their boundaries and increase their worldwide cooperation with NATO members.