Six US B-52 bombers and 80 fighter aircraft from 20 other NATO members are flying over all 30 NATO Allies on Friday, 28 August 2020, training together with Allied air forces.
Four of the six US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft are flying over Europe and two over North America for the event, named “Allied Sky”, NATO announced.
They will be accompanied by 80 fighter aircraft from across 20 NATO member countries.
The B-52 bombers are the iconic American bombers produced between 1952-1962 by Boeing, and still in use by the US Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). 58 of these bombers are still in active service despite more modern aircraft produced since then.
“Allied Sky” is designed to boost the Allies’ ability to train and operate together.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Today’s training event demonstrates the United States’ powerful commitment to NATO, and Allied solidarity in action. As US bombers overfly all 30 NATO Allies in a single day, they are being accompanied by fighter jets from across the Alliance, boosting our ability to respond together to any challenge. Training events like this help ensure that we fulfil our core mission: to deter aggression, prevent conflict, and preserve peace.”
