B-1B Lancer bombers deployed to Japan’s Misawa AB continue exercises with regional partners, while the B-52 Stratofortresses deployed to Spain’s Morón AB returned to Barksdale AFB.
The U.S. Air Force announced on Nov. 24, 2025 the conclusion of its two-week BTF (Bomber Task Force) Europe deployment to Spain’s Morón Air Base, designated BTF Europe 26-1, that started on Nov. 8. During the period, the bombers participated in a range of “complex, high-end training scenarios with Allies and partners across the U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.”
Three B-52s from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, participated in the deployment, and at least one was tracked online during the return to continental U.S. on the afternoon of Nov. 24, with the callsign BARB 13. The bombers were also observed while transiting the Atlantic earlier this month en route to Morón AB, with the callsigns CAGER 11, 12, and 13.
The B-52 is over Pennsylvania coming back from Moron AB in Spain. pic.twitter.com/6z7BVpsKRP
— Aviation and Naval Assets (@AirAssets) November 24, 2025
At the same time, the BTF deployment in the Indo-Pacific at Japan’s Misawa Air Base, comprising four B-1Bs from the 7th Bomb Wing’s (7th BW) 9th Bomb Squadron (9th BS) out of Dyess AFB, Texas, are continuing to take part in exercises with Allies in the region.
The INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific Command) released on Nov. 25 images of a single B-1B, supported by two KC-135s, flying over Diego Garcia in the southern Indian Ocean. The deployment took place on Nov. 12, as per details on DVIDS.
KC-135 Stratotankers from @KadenaAirBase refuel a B-1B Lancer with @PACAF during a bomber task force mission. These @usairforce operations enhance long-range capability and reinforce stability across the Indo-Pacific.
📸 SSgt Oldaker pic.twitter.com/j1mRAsWh2a
— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) November 25, 2025
Two of the BONE bombers also conducted a bilateral exercise with two JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) F-2s (Japanese multirole fighter based upon the F-16), and two USAF F-35A Lightning IIs. PACAF (Pacific Air Forces) highlighted on Nov. 18 the emphasis on “readiness and teamwork.”
BTF Europe
In Europe, the B-52 bombers trained operations in anti-access area denial environments with air forces from Finland, Lithuania and Sweden. The scenarios also involved simulations of weapons employment through find, fix, track and target (F2T2) process, “locating and striking threats in real-time” while operating under a restrictive enemy A2/AD umbrella.
Several refueling operations validated the ability to “regenerate in unfamiliar or austere locations, enhancing their operational reach and responsiveness,” the Air Force’s press release said. Coordinating with a NATO-operated E-3 (AWACS) “emphasized the importance of Allied integration and joint execution of complex tactical processes.”
🇺🇸 B-52 bombers have arrived in 🇪🇸 for #BomberTaskForce 26-1.
Operating from Morón Air Base, they’ll train with 🇫🇮🇱🇹🇸🇪 & other Allies, bolstering NATO’s Eastern Flank and High North defence.
🔗 Read more: https://t.co/5mpztojb9E pic.twitter.com/HCBmvCofRs
— NATO Air Command (@NATO_AIRCOM) November 11, 2025
In the USCENTCOM (Central Command) area of responsibility, B-52s participated in the biennial multinational joint drill Exercise Ferocious Falcon 6 in Qatar, as well as a flyover at the Dubai Air Show.
Another drill that the B-52s took part in was within the AFRICOM (Africa Command) AOR. The USAF deployed its JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) teams from Vicenza, Italy (also home of the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade), to Atar, Mauritania, for ground-to-air training with Mauritanian Air Force personnel.
“[This honed] their ability to communicate time-sensitive information with the B-52 aircrew flying overhead [the USAF] enhanced interoperability and strengthened relationships with partners in Africa,” the press release added.
PIOUS 97 (B-52/Bomber Task Force (BTF) Europe 26-1) flying formation with a 🇫🇮 F/A-18 Hornet. The B-52 conducted simulated weapons drops on targets designated by Finnish JTACs in the Sotinpuro firing range. https://t.co/1hlqf3y8eA pic.twitter.com/7KIbxeLWwp
— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) November 12, 2025
BTF Indo-Pacific
During the course of the BTF deployment to Japan, the INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific Command) also released images on Nov. 25, showing a B-1B assigned to the PACAF connecting with one among two KC-135 Stratotankers that Kadena AB’s 909th Air Refueling Squadron deployed over the Indian Ocean. The presence of the two KC-135s reflects the refueling needs for the long-leg deployment that cannot be met by a single tanker.
Additional information on DVIDS said the location was the southern Indian Ocean’s Diego Garcia Naval Support Facility. It is not clear if the B-1B landed at the base, but the bombers have already operated from that location during operations in Afghanistan.
About the drill with the JASDF, the PACAF said: “Our continued training strengthens Japan–U.S. Alliance, boosts deterrence, and supports a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The BTF began on Apr. 15, 2025, followed by another group of four B-1Bs from Dyess departing the U.S. for Misawa on Oct. 16. This means the 9th BW has been rotating its B-1Bs within the Indo-Pacific BTF deployment by maintaining a continuous presence in the strategically sensitive region.
At Misawa AB, the B-1B Lancers and their support, operations and munitions Airmen also conducted the first weapons load drill at the Japanese base. While weapons load exercises are common within the service, “the event marked the first-ever B-1 munitions load in mainland Japan during a BTF, underscoring total force integration and enhanced regional readiness,” Dyess AFB said on Nov. 21.
While loading GBU-54 precision weapons into the B-1B Lancer, “Airmen conducted munitions preparation, inspected munition components, performed a weapon bay inspection.” Dyess AFB itself conducted a separate large-scale munitions load exercise called Death Strike 25-03 on Sep. 22, which involved the 7th Munitions Squadron and the 28th Bomber Generation Squadron.
The quarterly training event “tests rapid generation, movement and loading procedures required for wartime contingency operations.” The 7th MUNS and the 28th BGS loaded DATM-158As (ground training versions of the AGM-158A JASSM) onto the CRL (Conventional Rotary Launcher) inside the B-1B’s internal weapons bay.
Prior to the munitions load drill at Misawa AB, a single B-1 from that base exercised with Indian Air Force Su-30MKIs and Mirage 2000s from Nov. 10 to 13 during Cope India 2025.
