ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Three weeks after conducting airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a pair of B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, arrived at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, for a Bomber Task Force deployment Feb. 23, 2024.
During the deployment, the bomber crews and Ellsworth support personnel will integrate with the Swedish Armed Forces, NATO Allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.
“Once again the Raiders of Ellsworth have validated our ability to conduct long range precision strike and provide global reach for America,” said Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander. “This BTF mission clearly demonstrates the U.S. commitment to NATO Allies and partners.”
Through these missions, U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa enables dynamic force employment in the European theater, providing strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries.
Regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers also provide critical touch points to train and operate alongside our Allies and partners while bolstering a collective response to any global conflict.
For more information about BTF 24-2, contact the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs office at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or, after hours, at usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil. For more information on Ellsworth Air Force Base, visit ellsworth.af.mil.
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, approaches the runway as it arrives for Bomber Task Force 24-2 at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, Feb. 23, 2024. BTF operations provide U.S. leaders with strategic options to assure Allies and partners, while deterring potential adversary aggression across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jake Jacobsen)