Sukhoi Su-27, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29, MiG-21 fighters escort US B-1B Lancers over Europe, F-16s also join
In a historic improvement, fight plane developed throughout the Cold War by the previous USSR and United States of America to focus on one another got here collectively to undertake a mission over the skies of Europe and Black Sea area. Sukhoi Su-27 (Nato code title Flanker), Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 (Nato code title Fulcrum) of the Ukrainian Air Force and Romanian MiG-21s (Nato code title Fishbed) flew with US B-1B Lancers and Polish F-16 Fighting Falcon as a part of a Bomber Task Force on May 29, 2020.
According to the United States European Command, two B-1B Lancer nuclear bombers took off from Ellsworth Air Force Base in USA’s South Dakota for a long-range, long-duration strategic Bomber Task Force mission all through Europe and the Black Sea area, May 29, 2020.
Over the skies of Europe, the B-1B Lancers had been joined by Sukhois, MiGs and F-16s in addition to Turkish Air Force’s KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling plane. It was the primary time ever that the B-1B Lancers flew with Su-27s and MiG-29s as their escort.
“This marked the first time that a Bomber Task Force mission integrated with Ukrainian Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums and Turkish KC-135s. Bomber Task Force missions to Europe demonstrate commitment to our allies and partners all while providing a clear deterrence message to any adversary. The integration of our strategic bomber presence across Europe proves that the U.S., alongside any ally or partner, stands ready to deter, and if needed, can employ these capabilities together,” mentioned General Jeff Harrigian, US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander.
The escort responsibility was taken over by Polish F-16s and MiG-29s in addition to Romanian F-16s and MiG-21s as soon as the bombers had been over the waters of the Black Sea.
The mid-air refuelling of the 2 B-1B bombers was taken care of by KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England together with Turkish and US KC-135s primarily based out of Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Some of the fighters escorting the bombers had been additionally refuelled mid-air by the tankers.
NATO’s latest member North Macedonia, too, supplied F-16 fighter escort to the B-1B Lancers for an overflight of Skopje.
“The Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate to our NATO Allies, including our newest member – North Macedonia – that these strategic missions enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge around the globe,” mentioned General Tod D. Wolters, US European Command commander. “The integration and interoperability with our NATO Allies during these missions, be it aerial tanker support or fighter escorts, are indelible actions that show the Alliance is as strong as I’ve ever witnessed.”
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