Summary: The U.S. Air Force and Sweden showcased a significant display of aerial cooperation and strength over Stockholm, featuring a B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress flying in unison with Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen fighters. This event, celebrated through a video on X (formerly Twitter), underscores the burgeoning partnership between the United States and Sweden, especially as Sweden edges closer to becoming NATO's 32nd member. 

The JAS 39 Gripen Meets U.S. Bombers Like the B-52 and B-1B Lancer 

The United States Air Forces in Europe & Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) posted a short video on X – the social media platform formerly known as Twitter – on Wednesday that showed a B-1B Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress flying alongside a pair of Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen multirole jet fighters over Stockholm.

The flyover of the Swedish capital city was announced earlier this week and comes on the heels of announcements that Sweden is in the final stages of becoming the newest member of the NATO Alliance.

"The strong and enduring bond between the United States and Sweden, rooted in mutual interests and shared values, is poised to reach new heights," Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa and NATO Allied Air Command. "As Sweden prepares to join the NATO Alliance as its 32nd member, we eagerly anticipate deepening our collaboration with our Swedish Allies. Initiatives like this joint flyover are just the beginning, as we work together to advance international stability and security."

The aircraft flew over Avicii Arena, Sweden’s Parliament House, the Stockholm Arlanda Airport, and the Uppsala Airport.

Bombers on Putin's Doorstep

Last month, two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), South Dakota, arrived at Luleå-Kallax Air Base, Sweden, for Bomber Task Force 24-2. During the deployment, the bomber crews and support personnel have been integrated with the Swedish Armed Forces, NATO Allies, and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and assure security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

However, it was not one of those B-1Bs that took part in Wednesday's flyover – as those bombers returned to Ellsworth AFB on March 1.

According to a report from Air & Spaces Forces magazine, citing the Air Force Global Strike Command, it was another B-1 from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth AFB, while the B-52 was from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Both bombers planned a CONUS-to-CONUS mission, meaning that the aircraft took off from the United States and were meant to return without landing. However, the B-1 was diverted to RAF Fairford, UK, but the reason has yet to be confirmed.

Sweden is set to officially join NATO on Thursday, becoming the 32nd member of the U.S.-led alliance. It will mark an end to 200 years of neutrality, during which time Stockholm avoided any military alliances. A flag-raising ceremony has been scheduled at alliance headquarters on the outskirts of Brussels at noon on Monday to ceremonially mark the accession, Politico reported.

Sweden's accession to NATO has already been seen as a significant strategic blow to Moscow, as it turns the Baltic Sea into a NATO lake. It will make it much easier for the alliance to keep track of Russia's naval movements. Moreover, the Nordic nation has a well-armed military and an advanced arms industry – a point on display during Wednesday's flyover of its capital.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

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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