NATO
Allied Air Command
March 23, 2022

German and United States Joint Terminal Attack Controllers train with B-52s

German and United States (U.S.) Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) recently cooperated with U.S. B-52s, underlining a shared commitment to NATO’s defensive capabilities and reinforcing Alliance cohesion.

On 21 March, JTACs based in Germany executed Close Air Support (CAS) training missions with the B-52s. Various Allied JTACs have had the opportunity to integrate with the B-52s during the current Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission. In early March, B-52s flew over central Europe to meet up with Romanian JTACs, providing crucial training for NATO Allies in the Black Sea region. On another integration opportunity, the B-52s supported a routine, pre-planned CAS training event at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, March 4.

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B-52s from the U.S. 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, have been operating in Europe since early February. They have executed training missions with several NATO Allies since their arrival.

The B-52s are currently based out of RAF Fairford, England. U.S. bomber rotations in NATO territory reinforce the U.S. commitment to the Alliance and its collective sovereignty.

U.S. bomber rotations through Europe have been occurring since 2018, maintaining NATO’s readiness and ability to execute a wide variety of missions.

Photograph: NATO