Europe
B-2 bombers arrive in Europe for integration training
Stars and Stripes
August 27, 2019
Airman 1st Class Austin Sawchuk, a crew chief assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, marshals in a B-2 Spirit on the flight line at RAF Fairford, England, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019. B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., along with equipment and personnel, arrived at RAF Fairford, England, early Tuesday, to train with allies in Europe. ( Kayla White/U.S. Air Force)
Airman 1st Class Austin Sawchuk, a crew chief assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, marshals in a B-2 Spirit on the flight line at RAF Fairford, England, on Tuesday, August 27, 2019. B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., along with equipment and personnel, arrived at RAF Fairford, England, early Tuesday, to train with allies in Europe. ( Kayla White/U.S. Air Force)
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber takes off from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., in July 2019. B-2 Spirits from Whiteman's 509th Bomb Wing, along with equipment and personnel, arrived at RAF Fairford, England, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019, to train with allies in Europe. (Kayla White/U.S. Air Force)
A task force of B-2 Spirit stealth bomber aircraft arrived on Tuesday in Europe to train with allies, U.S. European Command said.
The aircraft and a contingent of airmen along with supporting equipment deployed from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.
The aircraft will operate out of RAF Fairford, England, which serves as a forward operating location for bombers, EUCOM said.
The B-2 Spirit, which is capable of carrying nuclear weapons, is a long-range bomber designed to penetrate sophisticated air defense systems.
During the past five years, the military has stepped up the number of aircraft rotations to Europe as part of the effort to reassure allies and deter a more assertive Russian military.