Two B1-B Lancers and one B-52 Stratofortress from the United States arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom on Wednesday.
The B-1s are from the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, and the B-52 is from the Air Force Reserve Command’s 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
The aircraft will conduct flyovers at air shows in Slovakia and Poland before heading to the Czech Republic for Exercise Ample Strike, which focuses on training air and ground forces in joint missions, according to a U.S. European Command news release.
More than 1,000 service members from almost 20 countries will train their joint terminal attack controllers, forward air controllers, air crews and ground commanders during the exercise. The missions include in-flight refueling and fighting through an enemy’s air defense.
More than 30 planes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles will provide close-air support for JTACs to call to assist commanders on the ground, according to a NATO news release.
The fourth iteration of the Czech Republic-led exercise runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 9.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
