DVIDS – News – 2024 Bomber Task Force missions: A year of first-ever achievements

Since 2018, US Strategic Bomber Task Force missions have provided theater awareness of integration opportunities for aircrews and aircraft with allies and partners around the globe.

As of 2024, the 8th Air Force’s B-1 Lancers, B-2 Spirits, and B-52 Stratofortresses are integrated with 23 percent of the world’s militaries as part of Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions and operations.

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

Bomber support for the Indo-Pacific region

During 2024, the 8th Air Force has supported strategic deterrence missions aimed at strengthening the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region from various locations, including Andersen Air Force Base, Guam; Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, Australia.

“Our biggest goal is to continue to demonstrate our commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region and to our allies there, to show our dedication to those global relationships,” said Lt. Col. Vanessa Wilcox, BTF commander of the NSF Diego Garcia deployment .

In 2024, for the first time ever during a BTF mission out of RAAF Amberley, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force flew the F-35 Lightning II with the B-2.

“It’s been great to see interoperability between our two great countries and our ability to integrate together has made this mission very successful,” said US Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Meyer, commander of the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. “The operations we conducted have contributed to increasing the lethality of joint forces and demonstrated our ability to operate globally.”

The Indo-Pacific BTF missions faced significant logistical challenges, including long-duration flights exceeding 30 hours, which tested and ultimately strengthened crew endurance and operational readiness.

“Flying for over 24 hours, pushing into the 30-hour range, was a challenge,” Wilcox said. “It builds on our readiness, training for the capabilities we need to reach different parts of the globe, specifically across the Pacific.”

Bomber support for the Euro-Atlantic region

BTF missions continued the trend of achieving multiple first-ever missions in the US European Command’s (USEUCOM) area of ​​responsibility (AOR).
In February, B-1 aircraft, aircrews and maintainers from the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, deployed to Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, as part of BTF 24-2.

While deployed, the B-1s participated in a unique mission called Vanguard Adler, which was designed to integrate the American bombers with Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighters and joint terminal attack controllers operating in the Arctic and Baltic regions.

“The United States is one of our most important partners and having them here at the base is very good logistical training for us to host,” said Swedish Air Force Col. Peter Greberg, commander of the Norrbotten Wing. “Being a bomb escort is not something we do regularly, so it was very good training.”

On March 6, a B-1 and a B-52 conducted an overflight in Stockholm, Sweden, as the country was in the final stages of becoming the newest member of the NATO Alliance.

“As Sweden prepares to join the NATO Alliance as its 32nd member, we look forward to deepening our cooperation with our Swedish allies,” said US Air Force General James Hecker, commander of US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command at the time. “Initiatives like this joint overflight are just the beginning as we work together to promote international stability and security.”

In May, B-52s assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota, arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, and kicked off BTF 24-3.
During the deployment, U.S. airmen and aircraft integrated with NATO allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and ensure security commitments across the USEUCOM AOR. Most notably, the B-52s are integrated with the British, Swedish, French, Lithuanian, Polish, German and Spanish air forces.

“The NATO alliance is as strong as ever,” Hecker said. “Integration with our allies makes us a more lethal collective force, ready to counter aggression at a moment’s notice.”

In July, B-52s assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, arrived at Mihail Kogalniceanu AB, Romania, for BTF 24-4.
BTF 24-4 marked the first time US strategic bombers have operated out of Romania.

“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,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jared Patterson, 20th EBS commander.

The BTF highlighted the longstanding relationship between the United States and Romania and their shared commitment to maintaining freedom of movement and freedom of navigation across the region.

“We are showing the proof of interoperability and that together we are stronger,” said Romanian Air Force Chief Cosmin Macsim, deputy commander of Mihail Kogălniceanu AB.

In November, B-52s from 2nd BW deployed to RAF Fairford and kicked off the BTF 25-1. During their deployment, the strategic bombers conducted a simulated weapons drop training mission in Finland for the first time ever.
The mission demonstrated Finland’s growing role in the NATO alliance and marked another milestone in the strengthening of NATO’s collective defence.

Looking to the future

As 2025 begins, strategic bombers and airmen from the Mighty Eight will continue to break boundaries and increase interoperability worldwide, demonstrating America’s commitment to strategic deterrence, global security and stability.

(Editor’s note: US Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, Pacific Air Forces, 2nd Bomb Wing and 509th BW Public Affairs contributed to this article.)