A B-1B Lancer bomber of the U.S. Air Force landed for the first time at Bodø Main Air Station in northern Norway, marking the bomber’s first landing at an airbase above the Arctic Circle.
on Mar. 8, 2021, the landing was carried out during a training mission, dubbed Agile Condor, which involved Close Air Support training alongside U.S. Special Operations Forces members, supporting the training of Norwegian and Swedish Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC). During the mission the bomber also integrated with four Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft.
“It’s not every day that our bomber has the chance to play such a prominent role in training ally and partner JTACs,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander. “Opportunities to train alongside our allies, partners and U.S. Special Operations Forces in forward locations makes us the rapid, resilient and ready force we need to be.”
The aircraft, which can be identified in the photos as the 7th Operations Group’s flagship 85-0073, is one of the four bombers deployed last month from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, to Ørland Air Force Station, Norway, as part of a Bomber Task Force Europe mission.
During the flight, the B-1, alongside U.S. Special Operations Command Europe members, provided critical support to Norwegian and Swedish joint terminal attack control training.
Additionally, the B-1 conducted a “warm-pit refuel” at Bodo Air Force Station, Norway, during which the crew stayed in the cockpit while the B-1 received fuel so that it could return to the mission more rapidly. The B-1 also integrated with four Swedish JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft.
