Two Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers were deployed to conduct a “low-pass flyover in Sweden.” The flight marked the first anniversary of the nation’s accession to NATO.
What wasn’t noted was the name of the exercise, VIKING NEBULA, and the fact that it was the “first live weapons drop” since the Scandinavian nation joined the international military alliance. The two long-range strategic bombers from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron had been deployed to Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, for the Bomber Task Force (BTF) 2025-2 Europe mission since early February.
From the UK, they were escorted by a pair of Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighters to the Vidsel Test Range, about 900 kilometers north of Stockholm and within the Arctic Circle.
Over the designated target area, the Stratofortress bombers released GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions (JDAMs). At the same time, “ground support was provided by American and Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers,” U.S. Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AF) announced in a statement.
Protecting the Free World in Swedish Skies
Following the bombing run over the test range, the two bombers and escorts turned south and completed those above “low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament [in observation of] the first anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO.”
VIKING NEBULA was the eleventh operation completed as part of BTF 2025-2 Europe.
No More Bombers in Sweden?
Four B-52H bombers from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base (AFB), North Dakota, arrived at RAF Fairford last month. The U.S. Air Force hasn’t announced how long the four B-52s, ground crews, and other personnel from the 69th EBS will remain in the UK.
Still, the BTF mission could likely be concluded in the next couple of weeks, possibly after the USAFE-AF completes a full dozen operations.
The flight over Sweden had come just days after two B-52H bombers took part in a patrol mission over the Mediterranean while escorted by Israeli Air Force F-35 Adir stealth fighters.
During the past month, the bombers have participated in joint operations with numerous NATO allies and partners. That even included the extended route to arrive in the UK, as the aircraft conducted a routine flight with Finland, France, and Sweden before heading to the RAF base.
“Training with NATO allies strengthens our ability to operate as one team,” said Lieutenant. Colonel Joseph Cangealose, commander of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, just after the bombers arrived at RAF Fairford.
“These missions reinforce our partnerships and prepare us to deliver decisive capabilities whenever and wherever they’re needed.”
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock/ Sam-Whitfield1.
