The two supersonic strategic B-1B Lancers from the U.S. Air Force landed at the Kallax airport in Luleå early Friday morning after a non-stop flight from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.
It is not said how long the bombers will stay in northern Sweden. A short note from the U.S. Air Force in Europe, however, states that the planes are followed by “support personnel” and “will integrate with the Swedish Armed Forces.” This means the aircraft will not leave soon. The U.S. bombers will likely stay in the north for the Steadfast Defender exercises, including the soon-to-start Nordic Response. […]
This is the second time U.S. Air Force strategic bombers have landed at Kallax Air Base. The first time, in June last year, it was two planes at forward deployment to the United Kingdom that made a short visit to northern Sweden.
In early March, the Norwegian-led exercise Nordic Response kicks off with about 20,000 soldiers from 14 countries.
If all ratifications go as planned in Budapest and then in Sweden’s parliament, the Nordic Response will be the first where Sweden participates as a NATO member, not as a partner nation. Läs artikel