The Ministry of Defense of Romania announced on Monday, July 22, that the American B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers landed on the territory of the country for the first time as part of the Bomber Task Force Europe operation.
"Allies and partner countries use every opportunity to train together, increase readiness and promote peace and security in the European region," the country's defense ministry said in the statement.
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As noted in the The United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), it is about two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
The strategic bombers arrived in Romania on Sunday, July 21, at the local Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, which is home to the 57th Air Force Base of the Romanian Air Force. The base has also been used by the US Air Force since 1999.
It is noted that the bombers will perform tasks as part of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron together with NATO allies and other partners.
It is reported that "while flying in international airspace the U.S. B-52 aircraft were intercepted by two russian aircraft over the Barents Sea". " The U.S. aircraft did not change course due to the intercept and continued along their scheduled flight plan without incident, allowing the B-52s to perform their pre-planned mission which included integration alongside NATO fighter aircraft before landing at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base," the statement said.
Commenting the event, Valerii Riabykh, military expert, development director of Defense Express media and consulting company, stated that the arrival of US B-52 strategic bombers in Romania signaled Washington's readiness to handle security issues in the region.
"Stationing US B-52 bombers in Romania is a historic move. It is especially important for Romania, which is becoming a crucial part of NATO's eastern defenses and ensuring security in the region's airspace," Valerii Riabykh shared his opinion on Espreso TV.
Ukrainian expert noted that B-52 bombers can strike targets in russia from thousands of kilometers away.
"The presence of B-52 bombers in Romania shows the US is ready to take on strategic tasks in the region. These bombers, which can also carry nuclear weapons, represent a significant development, especially given the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war. Their deployment might suggest to Russia that the US still has strong capabilities. The range of these bombers is enough to threaten targets in Russia from several thousand kilometers away," he added.
As Defense Express purported, US B-52s Flew Over Northern Finland for the First Time
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