The BONEs continue to operate across the world.
Early in the morning on May 11, 2020, a U.S. B-1B Lancer flew over Warsaw, escorted by the Polish Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum and F-16 Block 52+ aircraft.
According to the official information released by the Polish MoD, the jet entered the Polish airspace at 7:25 AM. The MoD has released some visual materials though, claiming that the operation took place within the framework of the Bomber Task Force initiative.
Below you can see a video captured from a Polish F-16, depicting the event.
Polskie myśliwce po raz kolejny eskortują amerykański bombowiec B-1B w ramach misji Bomber Task Force. #StrongerTogether 🇵🇱🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0aJAPCYcLl
— Ministerstwo Obrony Narodowej 🇵🇱 (@MON_GOV_PL) May 11, 2020
Bomber Task Force is an initiative of the U.S. Air Force that regularly deploys bomber aircraft to the European theater. The sorties involve the allied and partner nations, as well as the USAF Europe units, thus forming a solid, strategic defense posture.
We are once again escorting the American B-1B bomber as part of the Bomber Task Force mission. This proves that the US is serious about its commitments to support allies in the event of an emergency. The Polish Army is carrying out its tasks despite #covid #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/XUUASH9ag4
— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) May 11, 2020
Here’s the audio of Bone 21 on the way to Poland:
#USAF 🇺🇸#BONE21 (B-1B) & #SPUR71 flt working Montreal Center ATC, requesting FL210-230 for Air Refuelling on AR62…😎 pic.twitter.com/OwqpkKnqSg
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— SR Airband & Aviation 📡✈🌍 (@Andy007_SR_A) May 10, 2020
#USAF 🇺🇸#BONE21 working Gander Centre ATC, Oceanic Clearance routing confirmed as: PORGY > CUDDY > 5830N50W > 60N40W > 61N30W > 61N20W > ATSIX > AKIVO pic.twitter.com/WbIa1azgS3
— SR Airband & Aviation 📡✈🌍 (@Andy007_SR_A) May 11, 2020
On May 5, 2020, two U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancers launched a long-range strategic Bomber Task Force mission to the Baltic region that included integration and interoperability training with Danish F-16s overflying Bornholm Island, in addition to overflight of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The B-1s also worked with Estonian Joint Terminal Air Controllers to provide close air support training with inert devices at Tapa Range.
“Forward bomber presence demonstrates the Air Force’s ability to execute flying missions, sustain readiness, as well as showcase the U.S. commitment to our Baltic allies and regional security. The B-1 Lancer can rapidly deliver massive quantities of conventional weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. Last time it was in Europe was November 2018 supporting NATO’s Trident Juncture exercise,” said the USAFE press release issued after the Baltic mission.
Both in the case of Denmark, as well as in the case of the Polish events, the B-One involved in the operation came from the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.
