{"id":25693,"date":"2020-06-17T18:50:44","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T18:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/17\/b-52s-fly-from-minot-to-baltics-to-support-naval-exercise\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:41:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:41:35","slug":"b-52s-fly-from-minot-to-baltics-to-support-naval-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2020\/06\/17\/b-52s-fly-from-minot-to-baltics-to-support-naval-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"B-52s fly from Minot to Baltics to support naval exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A pair of B-52H Stratofortress<\/a> bombers flew from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Europe Monday to help support the Baltic Operations maritime exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The B-52s, from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot, carried out a long-range, long-duration Bomber Task Force mission<\/a>, United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said in a release Monday \u2014 the latest in a series of such missions<\/a> the Air Force has carried out in recent weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLong-range strategic bomber missions to the Baltic region are a visible demonstration of our capability to extend deterrence globally,\u201d USAFE commander Gen. Jeff Harrigian said in the release. \u201cOur participation in BALTOPS also provides an opportunity for us to strengthen relationships with our NATO allies and partners while operating in the air and sea domains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This BALTOPS exercise \u2014 the 49th such exercise \u2014 began June 7, and is the biggest maritime-focused exercise in Europe\u2019s Baltic Sea region, which includes nations such as Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia. It included air and maritime assets from 19 nations, including NATO allies and partners, that took part in live training events including air defense, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction and mine countermeasure operations. It ended Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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B-52s from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota on Monday conducted interoperability training with aircraft from the Baltic Air Policing mission during a long-range, long duration strategic Bomber Task Mission throughout Europe and the Baltic region. The bombers participated in the Baltic Operations, or BALTOPS, maritime exercise. (Courtesy photo by Estonian Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One B-52 trained with Typhoons from the United Kingdom\u2019s Royal Air Force, and French Mirage 2000s, which were assigned to NATO\u2019s Baltic Air Policing mission. This bomber also flew over Tallinn, Estonia, Riga, Latvia and Vaindloo Island in the Baltic Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\t