In recent years, the Russian Aerospace Forces have deployed its Tupolev Tu-95 (NATO reporting name Bear) on patrol missions over the Barents Strait near the waters of Alaska. However, the U.S. Air Force upped the proverbial ante last month by conducting the first-ever simulated weapons drop in Finland.

A pair of Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron took part in the training exercise – carried out during the recent Bomber Task Force 25-1 in the skies over the NATO member. The aircraft were deployed from Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, England, where they have been based since arriving in the UK on November 8.

"During the mission bombers integrated with Finnish F/A-18C Hornets and Swedish Air Force Saab JAS 39 Gripens," announced U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa. "The mission showcased Finland's growing role within the NATO Alliance and marked another milestone in strengthening NATO's collective defense."

The historically neutral nation sought to join the international military alliance after Russia launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since officially joining NATO, Finland has carried out numerous joint training exercises with other member nations. That included an austere landing demonstration with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in September, while the U.S. Air Force also participated in the Ramstein Air Base 1v1 air superiority exercise this past June. 

"This Bomber Task Force mission exemplifies our unwavering commitment to our European Allies and partners. Together, we build stronger, more strategic relationships that reinforce security and stability across the region," said Gen. James Hecker, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa.

A short video of the Finnish fighters escorting the U.S. bombers was shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"The bilateral cooperation between Finland and the United States strengthens Finland's defense capability. (Finnish) F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets and (U.S.) B-52 Stratofortress bombers flew a training mission in Finnish airspace on November 25, 2024," the Finnish Air Force said in its post.

The U.S. Can Rattle Sabers Too

The B-52 sortie and simulated bomb drop were carried out just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the use of an Oreshnik intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile against Ukraine. Earlier in November, Putin also approved changes to his country's nuclear doctrine, whereby the Kremlin would see an attack from a non-nuclear state (Ukraine), backed by a nuclear power (the United States), as a joint attack on Russia.

The U.S. Air Force has continued to deploy the long-range bombers as a show of force.

A total of 744 B-52 Stratofortress bombers were manufactured while seventy-six are still maintained by the Air Force with fifty-eight considered operational with the 2nd Bomb Wing and 5th Bomb Wing, eighteen are in the reserve forces of the 307th Bomb Wing, while another dozen are now in long-term storage the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base "Boneyard."

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].

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