BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Three B-52 Stratofortresses and more than 200 Airmen assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, deployed today to Morón Air Base, Spain.
The multi-role heavy bombers will integrate and train with U.S. European Command components and regional allies and partners by participating in the Norwegian-led NATO exercise Cold Response during this short-term deployment.
“Strategic bomber deployments enhance the readiness and training vital to rapidly projecting global power and responding to any potential crisis or challenges,” said Adm. Cecil D. Haney, U.S. Strategic Command commander. “Supplementing U.S. European Command’s forward presence with B-52s exercises the forward operating locations that enable our collective defense capabilities while demonstrating our ability to command, control and conduct global bomber operations.”
Haney also highlighted that bomber operations provide a unique and complementary capability to the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and Ballistic Missile Submarine legs of the triad, which underpins strategic deterrence.
Cold Response 16, this year’s iteration of the biennial NATO military exercise, will involve approximately 16,000 troops from a dozen Allied and partner nations, and include maritime, ground and air operations
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"This exercise provides a great opportunity for allies to train together and better understand how we each operate and communicate," said Lt. Col. Dennis Cummings, 2nd Expeditionary Bomb Group commander. "The increased understanding and cooperative efforts between our countries enable us to work together effectively, while also addressing any and all security challenges that may arise in the region or other parts of the world."
For more information, contact the USAFE Public Affairs Office at 06371-47-6558 or usafepao.pao@us.af.mil.