‘FORTRESS HAIL’ mission bolsters U.S. lethality alongside NATO Allies

Bomber Task Force missions like FORTRESS HAIL demonstrate the ability to integrate seamlessly with mission partners, strengthening readiness and lethality.

By USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs , U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Ramstein, Germany Mar 07, 2025

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U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, participated in FORTRESS HAIL, a Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission that included a dynamic targeting exercise over the Baltic Sea involving NATO F-35 Lighting IIs and a live weapons drop with Finnish F/A-18 Hornets, March 6.

The dynamic target exercise, also referred to as a Find, Fix, Track, Target (F2T2) mission, integrated U.S. aircraft with Dutch F-35 Lightning IIs, NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System, German KC-30 tankers, and British and U.S. RC-135 Rivet Joints. The exercise enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance integration and refined operational tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The B-52s later proceeded to Rovajärvi Range in Finland, where they conducted GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition drops with support from the Finnish Army and U.S. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers.

Bomber Task Force missions like FORTRESS HAIL demonstrate the ability to integrate seamlessly with mission partners, strengthening readiness and lethality.

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USEUCOM team participates in Cyber Expert Games in Poland

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United States European Command

United States European Command

‘FORTRESS HAIL’ mission bolsters U.S. lethality alongside NATO Allies

Bomber Task Force missions like FORTRESS HAIL demonstrate the ability to integrate seamlessly with mission partners, strengthening readiness and lethality.