A huge B-52H bomber flew from RAF Fairford to within a mere 50 miles of the Russian border over NATO frontline state Estonia on Monday (February 24). This display of US Air Force military might coincided with Estonia's Independence Day, a nation often considered the most susceptible to Russian aggression within the Alliance.
The nuclear-capable B-52H Stratofortress bomber was accompanied by F35s and F-A18 fighters in their flight over eastern Estonia, marking the third anniversary of the onset of Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine. The bomber embarked on their mission from Gloucestershire, leaving shortly before 7am and returning at around 4.40pm, marking the second such mission to the Baltic region in a week.
This comes amidst accusations from European politicians that the US is neglecting its long-standing commitment to the continent's security, a responsibility it has upheld since World War II. However, this recent flight suggests that the US remains committed to defending NATO's frontlines.
Concurrently, renowned Russian war commentator and propagandist Sergei Mardan issued a warning that Putin may attempt to reclaim control over the Baltic states, including Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. "They are absolutely right to be concerned," he stated, adding, "Looking at the map, it is clear that their concern, it is objective, their historical fate is predetermined. Whether they are NATO members, [or] not NATO members. In the foreseeable historical perspective, these so-called states will not exist,".
Estonia, a nation that has been part of the NATO alliance for two decades and neighbours Russia, claims that President Putin aims to bolster the Russian military presence along the Baltic states' borders. Kaupo Rosin, the head of the Estonian intelligence service, revealed: "Russians are planning to increase the military force along the Baltic states' border but also the Finnish border.", reports the Mirror.
"We will highly likely see an increase of manpower, about doubling, perhaps. We will see an increase in armed personnel carriers, tanks, artillery systems over the coming years."
An intelligence report from Estonia indicates that Russian military units positioned on its frontier could nearly double from the 19,000 present prior to the 2022 Ukraine incursion. Moreover, this document suggests the potential formation of a new Russian army corps by the Finnish border, which could include two or three manoeuvre units, supported by additional elements.
There are four B52s deployed to RAF Fairford after arriving from Minot Air Base in North Dakota earlier this month as part of a routine Bomber Task Force deployment. These missions are planned in advance and serve to act as a deterrent to potential enemies and to support allies.
On another mission, two of the bombers flew out from RAF Fairford on 24-hour exercise to the Middle East. The United States Air Force said they flew across Europe and across nine partner nations, being refuelled in the air.
There were also 'live munitions drops' at ranges in several nations as part of the training exercise. While in the air, US F15s as well as other fighter jet escorts from other countries, flew alongside the bombers for the mission.
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, said: “Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S. power projection capability, commitment to regional security, and ability to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the CENTCOM region."
It is the first deployment to the UK under the second presidency of Donald Trump and is described as a signal of the United States' shared commitment to regional security and NATO’s collective defence. The aim is to showcase American military might, to show support to NATO and to deter aggression.
