B-1B Lancer strategic bombers take part in Arctic Challenge for the first time, flying over the world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford alongside F-35 fighters

The day before, the US Air Force's B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers took part in the Arctic Challenge. It was the debut of strategic aviation aircraft in the exercise.

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Four B-1B Lancer aircraft arrived in Europe at the end of May. They are stationed at UK Royal Air Force base Fairford. Two of the four aircraft took part in the Arctic Challenge 2023 exercise the day before.

A pair of B-1B Lancer, together with the American and Norwegian F-35 Lightning II, flew over the world's largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which also arrived in the region. Incidentally, this is also the first Arctic Challenge exercise for the fifth-generation F-35 fighters. The US Air Force sent eight aircraft to Norway in May.

In addition to the F-35 and B-1B, the U.S. will deploy KC-135 Stratotanker air refuelers and fourth-generation F-15E Strike Eagle fighters. They are based at Ørland, Norway, and Prikkala, Finland, respectively.

Source: USAFE