B-2 Spirit lands in Iceland

By Staff Report, U.S. Air Forces in Europe / Published August 29, 2019

509th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel distribution operators from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri conduct a hot-pit refueling on a B-2 Spirit Bomber at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, August 28, 2019. Hot-pit refueling is a method of refueling an aircraft without shutting down the engines. This is the B-2s first time landing in Iceland. Forward locations like Iceland enhance the collective defense capabilities of both the U.S. and NATO allies partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)
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509th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuel distribution operators from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conduct a hot-pit refueling on a B-2 Spirit Bomber at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, Aug. 28, 2019. Hot-pit refueling is a method of refueling an aircraft without shutting down the engines. This is the B-2s first time landing in Iceland. Forward locations like Iceland enhance the collective defense capabilities of both the U.S. and NATO allies partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, lands at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, Aug. 28, 2019. This is the B-2s first time landing in Iceland. While in Iceland Airmen from Whiteman conducted hot-pit refueling, which is a method of refueling an aircraft without shutting down the engines. The use of strategic bombers in Iceland helps exercise Naval Air Station Keflavik as a forward location for the B-2, ensuring that it is engaged, postured and ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend the U.S. and its allies in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)
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A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, lands at Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, Aug. 28, 2019. This is the B-2s first time landing in Iceland. While in Iceland Airmen from Whiteman conducted hot-pit refueling, which is a method of refueling an aircraft without shutting down the engines. The use of strategic bombers in Iceland helps exercise Naval Air Station Keflavik as a forward location for the B-2, ensuring that it is engaged, postured and ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend the U.S. and its allies in an increasingly complex security environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)

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ICELAND --

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber conducted a flight from RAF Fairford, England, to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, as part of a Bomber Task Force training mission Aug. 28. This mission, which involved rapid refueling at Keflavik AB, was conducted with the cooperation of our NATO ally, Iceland.

The purpose of the flight was to conduct theater familiarization for aircrew members and to demonstrate U.S. commitment to allies and partners through the global employment of our military forces. U.S. Strategic Command regularly tests and evaluates the readiness of strategic assets to ensure we are able to honor our security commitments.

The B-2 bomber, part of the Bomber Task Force currently deployed to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, is from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The aircraft arrived in theater on Aug. 27, and are temporarily operating out of RAF Fairford. The deployment of strategic bombers to the U.K. helps exercise RAF Fairford as U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s forward operating location for bombers.

Strategic bomber missions enhance the readiness and training necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe.

For more information, contact U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs at +49 06371-47-6558 or e-mail usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.