US Air Force personnel from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have arrived in Norway to fly Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions out of the country for the first time ever.
An expeditionary B-1 Lancer bomber squadron will be stationed at Orland Air Base in central Norway during their stay in the Scandinavian country.
According to a US European Command (EUCOM) statement, training for the US Air Force personnel will include a variety of areas ranging from operating in the high north to improving interoperability with allies and partners across the European theater.
“Operational readiness and our ability to support Allies and partners and respond with speed is critical to combined success,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, US Air Forces in Europe and Africa commander. “We value the enduring partnership we have with Norway and look forward to future opportunities to bolster our collective defense.”
EUCOM noted that all personnel were medically screened in Texas prior to arriving in Norway, which recently had to send 2,900 allied troops from the UK, the Netherlands and Germany home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details of specific missions or numbers of events that will be undertaken by the bombers while they are in Norway were not revealed as part of routine operational security standards.
