{"id":33569,"date":"2020-08-28T12:41:39","date_gmt":"2020-08-28T12:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/08\/28\/six-us-air-force-b-52-bombers-make-symbolic-sweep-over-all-nato-members\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T12:30:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T12:30:31","slug":"six-us-air-force-b-52-bombers-make-symbolic-sweep-over-all-nato-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2020\/08\/28\/six-us-air-force-b-52-bombers-make-symbolic-sweep-over-all-nato-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Six US Air Force B-52 bombers make symbolic sweep over all NATO members"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

COLOGNE, Germany \u2014 The U.S. Air Force is sending six B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to fly over each of NATO\u2019s 30 members on Friday, a gesture meant to signal the alliance\u2019s unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four bombers, taking off from Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom, will pass over NATO\u2019s European members, according to a statement by U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two B-52s departing from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, are scheduled to fly over the United States and Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis single-day mission, titled \u2019Allied Sky,\u2019 is intended to demonstrate NATO solidarity, enhance readiness and provide training opportunities aimed at enhancing interoperability for all participating aircrews from the U.S. and NATO allies,\u201d the European Command statement read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aircraft from 20 alliance members are scheduled to provide aerial refueling and other support throughout the day, it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials described the mission as a variation of the U.S. military\u2019s routine Bomber Task Force flights. Sending nuclear-capable bombers airborne amid global crises is a key tool in the Pentagon\u2019s deterrence calculus.<\/p>\n\n\n\t