In a significant show of military collaboration, two US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers executed their inaugural live weapons drop over Swedish airspace during a recent military exercise. This operation, which took place in conjunction with two Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, involved the release of GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) as the bombers approached the Vidsel Test Range, located in the northern region of Sweden.
The exercise was supported by US and Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground, who played a pivotal role in ensuring precise targeting and execution during the mission. According to officials from the US Air Forces in Europe, the primary objective of the training exercise was to fortify operational coordination between the two nations, thus enhancing their precision strike capabilities in a multifaceted training environment.
In addition to the live munitions drop, the B-52H bombers conducted a low-formation flyover of the Swedish Parliament, commemorating the first anniversary of Stockholm’s NATO membership. This gesture underlined not only the military partnership but also the strategic significance of Sweden’s alignment with NATO.
The B-52H Stratofortress, recognized as the “backbone” of the US strategic bomber force, is renowned for its versatility. The aircraft is capable of carrying an extensive array of weaponry, such as gravity bombs, cluster bombs, precision-guided missiles, and JDAMs, while operating at subsonic speeds and altitudes reaching 50,000 feet (15,166 meters).
The recent weapons drop represents a notable enhancement in cooperation between US and Swedish air and ground forces, signaling a commitment to collaborative defense efforts. The bombers involved in this exercise are stationed at a Royal Air Force base in England and are part of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron. Earlier in 2023, the nuclear-capable B-52H also participated in joint air drills with South Korea in the Korean Peninsula, further emphasizing its role in international military exercises.
