USAF Lancer Bats return to Europe

On 12 October and 14 October 2023, on each day, a two-ship Rockwell B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft arrived at RAF Fairford (UK) to form the Bomber Task Force-Europe 24-1.

Four B-1Bs and more than 100 Airmen assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron 'The Bats', part of the 7th Bomb Wing based at Dyess AFB (TX), deployed to Fairford on Thursday and Saturday. This latest long-planned European B-1B BTF deployment is not uncommon during autumn periods.

The BTF's provide US and NATO leaders with strategic options to assure Allies and partners, while also deterring potential adversary aggression throughout Europe and across the globe.

Having nothing to do with recent developments in the Middle-East, it is expected that the Lancers will turn up above multiple European countries during the coming period.

The following DY coded B-1Bs, a mix from 9th BS and 28th BS aircraft, are now present at Fairford: 86-0103 (9th BS), 86-0107 (28th BS), 86-0119 (28th BS) and 86-0124 (9th BS)

Credit photo: USAF