USAF B-52 Bomber Conducts Bombing Exercise in Nation Bordering Russia

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – A U.S. Air Force B-52 “Stratofortress” strategic bomber conducted a rare bombing exercise at a training range in Lithuania on November 15, with officials from the U.S. Department of Defense described the exercise as an uncommon event, though they did not clarify why.

It is speculated that the unusual nature of the exercise stems from the location—Lithuania, a NATO member sharing a border with Russia and a Baltic nation formerly part of the Soviet Union.

Amid escalating tensions between Washington and Moscow due to the war in Ukraine, the exercise is being interpreted by some as a potential warning from the U.S. to Russia.

The B-52 involved in the exercise belongs to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and participated in NATO’s Vanguard Merlin drill.

According to a statement from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the bomber carried out air-to-ground strikes alongside Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets on November 14 and 15.

Troops from Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Norway also participated in the training.

Brief:

On November 15, a U.S. Air Force B-52 “Stratofortress” conducted a rare bombing exercise at the Cudgel Training Range in Lithuania, a NATO member bordering Russia. Part of NATO’s Vanguard Merlin drills, the mission involved the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and allied forces from Lithuania, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Norway.

The exercise featured air-to-ground strikes in collaboration with Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon jets, utilizing GBU-38 JDAM bombs. The U.S. Department of Defense noted the rarity of such exercises in this location, highlighting its strategic significance amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

The U.S. has deployed 10 B-52 bombers to Europe and the Middle East, including four based at RAF Fairford, UK, supporting NATO operations in the Baltic Sea on November 15. On the same day, Russia scrambled fighter jets to intercept NATO aircraft. The exercise underscores NATO’s readiness and operational capabilities near Russia’s borders.

“This mission allowed aircrews to familiarize themselves with operations in Lithuania and with allied ground forces, establishing a combat-ready force,” said U.S. Air Forces in Europe in its statement.

The bombs were dropped at the Cudgel Training Range in Lithuania, a Baltic nation formerly part of the Soviet Union but a NATO member since 2004.

The munitions used were believed to be GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs).

The U.S. Air Force has deployed 10 B-52 bombers to Europe and the Middle East, representing 15% of its total active B-52 fleet.

Four of these aircraft are stationed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom and participated in operations with NATO fighter jets, including Denmark’s F-16s and Germany and Italy’s Eurofighter Typhoons, over the Baltic Sea on November 15.

Russia reportedly scrambled fighter jets to intercept the B-52 bombers and NATO aircraft operating in the Baltic Sea on the same date.

The U.S. Air Force currently maintains 58 active B-52 bombers, with an additional 18 in reserve and 12 in storage. A total of 744 B-52 bombers were built for U.S. military use. —DSA