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U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers and NATO fighter jets flew in formation over Riga, the capital of Latvia to demonstrate joint readiness and transatlantic unity, and commitment to strengthen the security of the Baltic region and NATO’s eastern flank.

The American bombers were accompanied by four JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets, two from Hungary and two from Sweden. Three B-1 bombers were deployed from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas to Orland Air Base in Norway on August 9 as part of a bomber task force mission with the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.

According to the U.S. Air Force, the flyover highlights the integration of allied forces and the strengthening of joint operational capabilities through training deployments designed to improve interoperability and readiness in complex airspaces.

“The security of the Baltic states and NATO’s Eastern flank is the cornerstone of the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic region,” said Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds. “Such U.S. and allied flyover maneuvers clearly demonstrate NATO’s presence in the region, transatlantic unity, and commitment to strengthen the security of the Baltic State region collectively.”

The Eastern Flank of NATO, encompassing the Baltic states, Poland, and neighboring areas, has become a central focus of allied deterrence strategy following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Top-tier collective defence 🤝

Norwegian 🇳🇴 and U.S. 🇺🇸 aircrews trained side by side in Norway, working on their ability to penetrate contested airspace and carry out coordinated strikes in high-threat scenarios

🔗https://t.co/gS2QRFxZP5 pic.twitter.com/f7GqaK6vZ6

— NATO (@NATO) August 26, 2025

The United States, alongside NATO partners, has increased forward deployments, rotational missions, and joint exercises designed to signal both capability and commitment. These activities aim to reassure Eastern European allies and deter potential aggression by demonstrating that NATO forces can operate cohesively across national borders, integrate intelligence rapidly, and respond to contingencies at short notice.

Joint aerial operations and tactical integration

During this deployment, B-1 crews trained with the air forces of Norway, Hungary, Sweden, and other allied nations to practice advanced tactics, share real-time threat information, and ensure operational capability in contested airspace.

Exercises included finding, fixing, tracking, and targeting potential threats, encompassing both ground and air-based obstacles. Aircrews coordinated multi-platform maneuvers and simulated contested environment responses, honing their ability to operate jointly in high-threat scenarios.

“This deployment allows us to train the way we fight, integrated with NATO allies, ready and adaptive,” said Lt. Col. Eric Alvarez, deployed commander of the 345th. “It’s about building experience and trust together, enhancing readiness, and staying sharp in dynamic environments.”

The 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron is composed of reserve airmen from the 489th Bomb Group and active-duty airmen from the 7th Bomb Wing, both stationed at Dyess Air Force Base. The squadron’s deployments are part of a broader U.S. Air Force strategy to maintain a forward presence capable of rapid engagement in the European theater, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence posture along the Eastern Flank.

Capabilities of B-1 Bombers and Gripens

The Rockwell B-1B Lancer is a supersonic, heavy bomber capable of carrying up to 75,000 pounds of ordnance. Alongside the B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress, the B-1B is one of the U.S. Air Force’s most lethal strategic aircraft.

Introduced in the 1980s, the Lancer combines high speed, low-altitude flight, and stealth features to evade advanced air defenses. Its current iteration can carry 36 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSMs), which are also used for anti-ship operations. The bomber’s ability to integrate with allied platforms ensures it can operate in a joint or coalition context, a critical factor in modern deterrence and rapid-response missions.

The Swedish-designed JAS 39 Gripen is a fourth-generation fighter jet widely exported for its reliability and affordability. Powered by a Volvo RM12 turbofan engine, the Gripen can exceed Mach 2 speeds and carry a range of weapons, including AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, MBDA Meteor missiles, and the RBS-15 anti-ship missile. The Gripen’s agility, low operating costs, and advanced avionics make it ideal for Baltic Air Policing and integration with U.S. bombers during joint aerial exercises.

NATO Baltic air policing mission

The Hungarian Gripens participating in the Riga flyover are deployed to Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania for NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. Hungary currently leads the 69th rotation, cooperating with Spain and Italy to secure the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

NATO has maintained air policing in the Baltic region since 2004, shortly after Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined the alliance, as these countries lack significant indigenous fighter fleets.

Hungarian-led rotations in the Baltic region have occurred previously in September 2015–January 2016, May–August 2019, and August–December 2022. These rotations enhance interoperability between NATO air forces, ensure rapid response to potential incursions, and maintain readiness for integrated missions, including escorting allied bombers like the B-1.

The Riga flyover demonstrates NATO’s ability to conduct joint aerial operations with precision, efficiency, and coordinated command structures. Such displays of force are intended both as deterrence against potential regional aggressors and as reassurance to allied nations of NATO’s collective defense commitment under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.

In a social media post, the U.S. Embassy in Riga emphasized the flyover as a symbol of alliance strength: “U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers flew over Latvia‘s Freedom Monument today, joined by Allied fighter jets in a powerful show of unity, deterrence, and teamwork across NATO. The stronger our partners are, the stronger our Alliance is.”

The flyover also provides a real-time operational test of command and control systems, ensuring that U.S. and allied air forces can communicate seamlessly and respond quickly to evolving threats. This is especially relevant given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the proximity of Russian forces to NATO’s Eastern Flank.

Operational and strategic impact

Beyond the symbolic aspect, the deployment allows crews to practice integrated operations across multiple platforms, refining tactics for rapid deployment, precision targeting, and coordination under dynamic conditions. The exercises contribute to broader U.S.-NATO deterrence strategies by demonstrating that allied forces can operate cohesively, defend critical airspace, and respond immediately to potential regional crises.

The B-1 bomber deployment is the fifth such bomber task force mission to Europe this year and reflects the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a ready and capable forward presence. Such missions complement other deterrence measures, including rotational armored and infantry units, maritime exercises, and intelligence-sharing programs that collectively strengthen NATO’s Eastern Flank.