U.S., partners conduct global Bomber Task Force mission

May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Air Force bombers conducted a global Bomber Task Force mission with allies and partners in multiple areas of responsibility this week, Strategic Command announced.

In a press release issued Monday, STRATCOM said U.S. aircraft integrated with allies and partners in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region and North America for the mission.

The goal, U.S. officials said, was to demonstrate the Defense Department's "ability to command and control its bomber forces for any assigned mission anywhere in the world at any time in support of the U.S. National Defense Strategy."

B-52 Stratofortress bombers executed the planned mission without incident, STRATCOM said.

"The speed, flexibility, and readiness of our strategic bombers play a critical role in our ability to deter potential adversaries and signal our unwavering support to our allies and partners," Adm. Charles Richard, U.S. Strategic Command commander, said in STRATCOM's release.

"Missions like this provide invaluable training opportunities with our allies and partners to improve our interoperability and demonstrate that our forces are capable of operating anywhere, anytime, to meet any challenge decisively," Richard said.

In April, four B-52s were deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for bomber task missions.

At the end of March, B-1B Lancers and B-2 stealth bombers also concluded bomber task missions in Europe.