Submitted Photo Ground crew members conduct post-flight checks on a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft at RAF Fairford, England, after completing a Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment mission on Feb. 18. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Heller.

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses from the 69th Expeditionary Squadron conducted the bomber aircraft’s first-ever live weapons drop in Sweden on Tuesday during Bomber Task Force mission VIKING NEBULA.

The squadron is from Minot Air Force Base and currently deployed for Bomber Task Force 25-2 at RAF Fairford, England, where it carries out operations alongside NATO Allies and partners across Europe, Africa and the Middle East, bolstering collective lethality and improving integration.

During the mission on Tuesday, the aircraft were escorted by two Swedish JAS 39 Gripens to the Vidsel Test Range, where they released GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions. Ground support was provided by U.S. and Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. The mission reinforced coordination between air and ground units, refining precision strike capabilities in a new, complex training environment.

The mission also included a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Sweden’s accession to NATO.

“Sweden’s partnership has been crucial to the success of our Bomber Task Force operations,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kendall “Spartan” Smith, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Bomber Task Force chief. “Access to their airspace, logistical support and seamless integration with U.S. bomber aircraft have made joint missions more efficient and effective.”

The flyover, coordinated with Swedish defense officials, highlights the strong security cooperation between Sweden, the United States and other NATO air forces. Bomber Task Force missions provide critical opportunities to integrate and train with regional partners.

“Through detailed planning and deliberate coordination, we’ve built a stronger coalition with our Arctic Allies to hone our collective ability to deploy large, combat-credible forces and strengthened NATO’s deterrence capabilities in the High North,” Smith said.

VIKING NEBULA marks the 11th operation completed during this Bomber Task Force iteration.