USAF B-2A Spirit Bombers deploy to Iceland

On 13 August 2023, two WM coded Northrop Grumman B-2A bomber Spirit bombers from Whiteman AFB (MO) arrived at Keflavik Air Base (Iceland) to participate in Bomber Task Force (BTF) 23-4.

This time, leading the expeditionary bomber mission is consisting out of the 393rd Bomb Squadron "Tigers", part of the 509th Bomb Wing. It was the intention to bring three B-2As to Iceland, but due to tanker availablity issues only two aircraft arrived.

UPDATE: by 17 August the third B-2A (serial 88-0331)  arrived.

While this deployment will be a (temporary) vital component of US European Command’s (USEUCOM) collaborative training efforts with Allies, partners, and US Joint Forces, it is expected that some of the BTF Spirit missions will be held in and over central Europe.

Because of good accommodations and maintenance facilities, USAF bombers are normally deployed to RAF Fairford (UK). It is most probable that Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) choose Iceland to learn and test the B-2A BTF unit how to perform without too much support. Earlier, in August 2019, B-2A Spirit 82-1071 made a historic stop at Keflavik.

Sending a strategic message, BTF's deployed to Europe provide US and NATO leaders with options to assure, deter and defend against adversary aggression against the Alliance.

The following B-2As are now deployed to Keflavik: 82-1070 "Spirit of Ohio", 88-0331 "Spirit of South Carolina" and 90-0040 "Spirit of Alaska".

Credit photos: USAF