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Typo fixing, typo(s) fixed: 24-2 → 24–2

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{{Short description|Current concept for the USAF's strategic bomber fleet}}

'''Bomber Task Force''' (BTF) is a strategic mission that has been undertaken by the [[Air Force Global Strike Command]] (AFGSC) of the [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) since 2018 to help develop the ability to operate from unfamiliar locations and integrate with allies and partner nations. The BTF is a development of the USAF's Bomber Assurance and Deterrence Missions which began in April 2014.<ref name="Miller">{{cite web |first=Jacob |last=Wrightsman |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/318796/bomber-task-force-europe-showcases-future-strategic-deterrence |title=Bomber Task Force in Europe showcases future of strategic deterrence |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |date=19 April 2019 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Miguel |last=Lara |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/368840/b-1s-conduct-south-china-sea-mission-demonstrates-global-presence |title=B-1s conduct South China Sea mission, demonstrates global presence |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |date=29 April 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> The missions regularly support both [[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF) and [[United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa]] (USAFE-AFAFRICA) and are conducted by the USAF's strategic bomber fleet of [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1B Lancers]], [[Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit|B-2A Spirits]] and [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52H Stratofortress]]es.

==History==
===2018===
The Bomber Task Force mission was created as a response to the 2018 [[National Defense Strategy (United States)|National Defense Strategy]] which called to develop Dynamic Force Employment where the USAF would use its forces to provide "proactive and scalable options for priority missions."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2018-National-Defense-Strategy-Summary.pdf |title=Summary of the 2018 National Defense Strategy |publisher=Department of Defense |date=19 January 2018 |access-date=21 April 2023 |pp=7}}</ref> The first Bomber Task Force deployment was undertaken by the [[23rd Bomb Squadron|23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron]] (23rd EBS) who deployed four [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|Boeing B-52H Stratofortress]]es to [[RAF Fairford]], United Kingdom, from [[Minot Air Force Base]], North Dakota, in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Armstrong |url=https://www.mildenhall.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1415510/minot-b-52s-airmen-deploy-to-raf-fairford/ |title=Minot B-52s, Airmen deploy to RAF Fairford |website=Royal Air Force Mildenhall |date=15 January 2018 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> The principal aim of the deployment was to conduct theatre integration. This saw the first co-operation between B-52s and the [[Lithuanian Special Operations Force]]s.<ref>{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Armstrong |url=https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1428494/minot-airmen-b-52s-complete-uk-deployment/ |title=Minot Airmen, B-52s complete UK deployment |website=Air Force Global Strike Command AFSTRAT-AIR |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> The [[393rd Bomb Squadron]] (393rd BS) carried out the first BTF in the Pacific region, deploying three [[Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit|Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit]]s to [[Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam]], Hawaii, between 15 August and 27 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web |first=Danielle |last=Quilla |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1654080/first-hawaii-deployment-proves-b-2-strategic-flexibility-to-ensure-free-open-in/ |title=First Hawaii deployment proves B-2 strategic flexibility to ensure free, open Indo-Pacific |website=www.af.mil |date=4 October 2018 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> The aim of the mission was to assess the readiness of the B-2A and its airmen as well as to integrate with the local [[Hawaii Air National Guard]] units.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/632172/bomber-task-force-overview |title=Bomber Task Force Overview |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |date=3 October 2018 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

===2019===
The BTF mission concept was further developed in 2019 with a deployment of six B-52Hs to RAF Fairford in April 2019, with Col. Michael Miller explaining the deployment was to test whether the [[2nd Bomb Wing]] "could pick up [their] wing, send it somewhere, and see if it [could] operate independently on its own."<ref name="Miller"/> The deployment of six aircraft marked the largest to Europe since [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Operation Iraqi Freedom]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_164725.htm |title=US B-52 bombers conduct training in Europe |publisher=North Atlantic Treaty Organization |date=14 March 2019 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Ukrainian MiG-29s during a Bomber Task Force Europe mission.jpg|thumb|B-52H escorted by a pair of [[Ukrainian Air Force]] [[Mikoyan MiG-29]]s during a BTF mission, 2020.]]

===2020===
Four [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|Rockwell B-1B Lancers]] of the [[9th Bomb Squadron|9th BS]] deployed to [[Andersen Air Force Base]], Guam, from [[Dyess Air Force Base]], Texas, in May 2020 as part of a BTF mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/369081/b-1b-lancers-return-indo-pacific-bomber-task-force-deployment |title=B-1B Lancers return to Indo-Pacific for bomber task force deployment |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |date=1 May 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> It was carried out shortly after the USAF ended its 16-year long 'continuous bomber presence' in Guam in April 2020.<ref>{{cite web |first=Brian W. |last=Everstine |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-ends-continuous-bomber-presence-in-guam/ |title=Air Force Ends Continuous Bomber Presence in Guam |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=17 April 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Brian W. |last=Everstine |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/b-1s-deploy-to-guam-for-first-time-since-continuous-bomber-presence-ends/ |title=B-1s Deploy to Guam for First Time Since Continuous Bomber Presence Ends |website=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=3 May 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> Between August and September 2020, the 23rd EBS deployed six B-52Hs to RAF Fairford.<ref>{{cite web |first=Eugene |last=Oliver |url=https://www.501csw.usafe.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2321940/us-air-force-b-52s-return-to-europe-for-ally-partner-training/ |title=U.S. Air Force B-52s return to Europe for ally, partner training |website=501st Combat Support Wing |date=24 August 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> Operating from Fairford, three B-52Hs carried out a sortie on 4 September seeing them overfly Ukraine, operating alongside the [[Ukrainian Air Force]] and NATO allies, flying close to [[Russian occupation of Crimea|Russian occupied Crimea]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eucom.mil/article/40736/us-air-force-b-52s-integrate-with-ukrainian-f |title=U.S. Air Force B-52s Integrate with Ukrainian Fighters |website=U.S. European Command |date=4 September 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> A subsequent mission saw a pair of B-52Hs carry out a simulated attack on [[Kaliningrad]], integrating alongside [[Italian Air Force]] [[Eurofighter Typhoon]]s.<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Axe |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2020/09/25/us-air-force-b-52s-just-flew-a-mock-bombing-run-on-russias-baltic-fortress/ |title=U.S. Air Force B-52s Just Flew A Mock Bombing Run On Russia’s Baltic Fortress |website=Forbes |date=25 September 2020 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

===2021===
Between February and March 2021, four [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|Rockwell B-1B Lancers]] from the 9th EBS deployed to [[Ørland Main Air Station]] in Norway.<ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Cenciotti |url=https://theaviationist.com/2021/02/02/u-s-b-1-lancer-bombers-to-operate-from-orland-air-base-during-upcoming-first-ever-norway-deployment/ |title=U.S. B-1 Lancer Bombers To Operate From Orland Air Base During Upcoming First Ever Norway Deployment |website=The Aviationist |date=22 February 2021 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> A sortie on 12 March saw a B-1B land in Poland for the first time, with a mission being conducted to [[33rd Air Base|Powidz Air Base]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usafe.af.mil/News/Press-Releases/Article/2534993/b-1-lands-in-poland-for-the-first-time/ |title=B-1 lands in Poland for the first time |website=U.S. Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa |date=12 March 2021 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> The BTF also marked the first time a USAF bomber squadron had deployed to Norway from where they operated in the European and Arctic regions.<ref>{{cite web |first=Colin |last=Hollowell |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/392609/9th-ebs-concludes-btf-europe-operations |title=9th EBS concludes BTF Europe operations |website=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |date=30 March 2021 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref>

===2022===
In February 2022, four B-52Hs of the [[69th Bomb Squadron|69th EBS]] deployed to RAF Fairford during the [[prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Lucy |last=Fisher |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/02/11/ukraine-crisis-american-b-52-stratofortress-bomber-planes-land/ |title=Ukraine crisis: American B-52 'Stratofortress' bombers land in UK |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=11 February 2022 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> The aircraft stayed at Fairford until April, integrating with European allies and partners amidst the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] that began on 24 February.<ref name="69EBS2022">{{cite web |first=Evan |last=Lichtenhan |url=https://www.afgsc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3008888/69th-expeditionary-bomb-squadron-completes-historic-bomber-task-force-mission-i/ |title=69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron completes historic Bomber Task Force mission in Europe |website=Air Force Global Strike Command AFSTRAT-AIR |date=21 April 2022 |access-date=21 April 2023}}</ref> By 2022, the BTF concept had evolved into a method "to deploy a tailor-built task force of bombers in a Geographic Combatant Command."<ref name="69EBS2022"/>

===2023===
The 2023 Bomber Task Force milestones included the first hot-pit refuel missions of B-1B bombers in [[Turkey]] and [[Romania]], and a visit to [[Sweden]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eucom.mil/article/42426/bomber-task-force-europe-supersonic-bombers-complete-successful-rotation|title=Bomber Task Force Europe: Supersonic bombers complete successful rotation|author=USAFE-AFAFRICA PUBLIC AFFAIRS|website=eucom.mil|date=29 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eucom.mil/pressrelease/42542/us-b-1bs-mark-historic-milestone-at-incirlik-air-base|title=US B-1Bs mark historic milestone at Incirlik Air Base|author=USAFE-AFAFRICA PUBLIC AFFAIRS|website=eucom.mil|date=31 October 2023}}</ref> B-2 bombers deployed to [[Keflavik Air Base]] in Iceland also took part in a hot-pit refuel mission in Norway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eucom.mil/article/42463/b-2-spirit-conducts-historic-hot-pit-refueling-in-norway|title=B-2 Spirit conducts historic hot-pit refueling in Norway|author=Lindsey Weichel|website=eucom.mil|date=30 August 2023}}</ref> As part of the Bomber Task Force 23-3 mission, two B-1B bombers flew on a long range mission to [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] where a low approach flyby was performed over [[Sarajevo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eucom.mil/video/42405/bomber-task-force-supersonic-bombers-low-approach-flyby-shows-support-to-bosnia-herzegovin|title=Bomber Task Force: Supersonic bombers' low approach flyby shows support to Bosnia Herzegovina.|author=Adnan Bujak|website=eucom.mil|date=30 May 2023}}</ref>

===2024===
The 2024 missions saw the deployment of B-1B bombers for the first time to Sweden at the [[Luleå Airport|Luleå-Kallax Air Base]] as part of Bomber Task Force 24–2 in February.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eucom.mil/pressrelease/42712/us-bombers-arrive-in-sweden-for-bomber-task-force-24-2|title=U.S. bombers arrive in Sweden for Bomber Task Force 24-2|author=Cameron Silver|website=eucom.mil|date=23 February 2024}}</ref> In July, two B-52 bombers were deployed to the [[RoAF 57th Air Base|Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base]], which marked the first deployment of US strategic bombers to Romania. The two B-52s were also intercepted by [[Russian Air Force|Russian]] fighters while crossing the [[Barents Sea]] but they continued on their course without any incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eucom.mil/article/42965/us-bombers-arrive-in-romania-for-bomber-task-force-24-4|title=U.S. bombers arrive in Romania for Bomber Task Force 24-4|author=USAFE-AFAFRICA PUBLIC AFFAIRS|website=eucom.mil|date=22 July 2024}}</ref> On 25 July, the bombers conducted a 32-hour mission to the [[Middle East]], integrating with the [[United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command]] before returning to their home base at [[Barksdale Air Force Base]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afcent.af.mil/News/Article/3852121/us-bomber-participates-in-maritime-fire-support-symposium/|title=U.S. bomber participates in Maritime Fire Support Symposium|website=afcent.af.mil|date=27 July 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Military aviation]]

Bomber Task Force - Revision history

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wikipedia>Jamesmcmahon0: Typo fixing, typo(s) fixed: 24-2 → 24–2