On Friday, two US B-1B Lancer strategic bombers arrived for deployment at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, the main base of the Swedish Norrbotten Wing (F 21).
The air base has been selected to become a Swedish-American military agreed area in the countries’ new agreement on bilateral defense cooperation. Processing of the agreement in the Swedish parliament and entry into force should be possible by the end of 2024, according to Sweden’s MoD.
The bombers are assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, and are deployed to Sweden for Bomber Task Force 24-2 joint training.
“During the deployment, the bomber crews and 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,” informs the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). […]
The capability to generate sorties from locations like Luleå is a key focus area, according to USAFE.
“This timely opportunity for our crews to exercise our collective defense capabilities with our Swedish partners, soon to be NATO Allies, in the Arctic region is incredible. It demonstrates our ironclad commitment to our partners and Allies, shows our expansive reach, and sends a strong deterrent message to potential adversaries,” adds Lt. Col. Benjamin Jamison, 37th Bomb Squadron director of operations and BTF 24-2 lead. Läs artikel