March 3, 2021
For Immediate Release
On Wednesday, March 3rd, the U.S. B-1B Lancers, from the 7th Bomb Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, will conduct a Bomber Task Force mission in the international airspace of the North and Baltic Seas, including Estonia. Weather permitting, the mission will take place over Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport at 3:25pm local time and over Ämari Air Base at 3:30pm local time. In addition to a U.S. B-1B Lancer, the mission will include integration with aircraft from a number of NATO allies, including fighter jets from the Italian Air Force deployed as part of the Baltic Air Policing Mission in Lithuania and fighter jets from the German Air Force deployed to Estonia as part of the Baltic Air Policing Mission.
“This mission sends a clear message that our commitment to our NATO allies is unshakeable,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander. “We’re in this together to get after the mission and pursue our shared goal of regional security.”
“Our robust military cooperation and enduring relationship with Estonia allows us to share readiness obligations so we can meet any global challenge,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Stallworth, the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron Commander.
Bomber Task Force missions like this one are intended to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the collective defense of the NATO alliance and are the visible demonstration of the U.S. capability of extended deterrence. The highly versatile B-1B Lancer aircraft is considered the backbone of the United States’ long-range bomber force, capable of rapidly delivering large quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time.
Supporting our shared security and promoting defense cooperation are key components of the U.S.-Estonia relationship. The United States has provided Estonia with over $200 million in joint defense cooperation since 2015. The United States and Estonia also conduct multiple exercises and military-to-military engagements between our service members each year.
Coverage of this deployment will be available on the DVIDS hub (https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/bombertaskforceeurope) following the completion of the mission.
