In a key military cooperation and strategic play, two US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers arrived at Romulus-Mihaescu Air Base in Romania after flying over the Finnish skies for the first time. It is the first operational deployment of such aircraft flown from Romania, an underpinning component to NATO’s focus on its Eastern Flank.
The bombers, from Bomber Task Force 24-4, crossed Norwegian airspace and transited over Lapland, the northern part of Finland that borders Russia, Sweden, and Norway. It was hardly possible to ignore such a mission, taking into consideration that Russia borders Finland along a very long landline.
On July 21, while operating in two-aircraft elements with NATO allies’ fighters, the B-52s were intercepted by two Russian aircraft over the Barents Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters were scrambled to intercept the bombers approaching the Russian border.
“The intercept was deemed safe and professional,” said a U.S. Air Forces in Europe command official, comparing the intercepts to earlier close calls that pitted U.S. unmanned aircraft against manned aircraft over the Black Sea and Syria.
In this exercise, the B-52s completed their objectives without incident and did so in ways consistent with the rules of international law, a point Moscow does not dispute.
They landed in Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase, Romania, where they have been operating under Bomber Task Force 24-4.
This deployment shows a clear signal of NATO’s collective deterrence and commitment to defending the Euro-Atlantic region against hostile actions.
During the mission, the B-52s integrated with dozens of NATO fighters including the Finnish F/A-18 Hornets, German Eurofighter Typhoons, Polish F-16s, Hungarian JAS-39 Gripens, and Romanian F-16s. U.S. refueling aircraft that supported the operation include a KC-46 and two KC-135s from the 100th Air Refueling Wing based at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom.
This is a challenge in the global environment that these missions will help address, said Gen. James Hecker, head of USAFE and NATO Allied Air Command. Bomber Task Force deployments offer a fantastic opportunity to hone agile combat employment tactics, techniques, and procedures.
This cooperation by the long-range bombers was confirmed by Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen, who described it as “a normal cooperation carried out in the territory of a NATO member country” and an example of the very basic pillar of common defense and deterrence.
The U.S. is soon to preposition aircraft and vessels in Finland, with the signing of a bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreement between Finnish State Secretary for Defence Timo Häkkänen and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Not specified yet are the types of U.S. assets slated for Finland, but Washington is likely to ship their equipment and troops to several pre-existing military facilities in Finland for future exercises and training.
The B-52 deployment in Finnish airspace and Romania occurs at a time when NATO is strengthening its defense and cooperation for the region of the Eastern Flank.
One such initiative within the framework of the Declaration of the Washington Summit, in particular, comprises the establishment of a NATO presence in Finland and full integration of the nation within plans, forces, and command structures.
“The U.S. is dedicated to working alongside our NATO Allies and partners along the Eastern Flank to ensure we have the combined skills and coordination capabilities necessary to maintain regional safety, security, and stability,” he said.