TALLINN. July 20 (Interfax) - United States Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers have carried out practice flights in Estonia's airspace jointly with jet fighters from the United Kingdom, France and Romania.
The exercise raises the level of preparedness of NATO allies, which is necessary for responding to potential crises around the world, the Headquarters of the Estonian Defense Forces' press service said.
During the exercise, the bombers were accompanied by Typhoon fighters from the UK Royal Air Force, French Rafales deployed at the Amari Air Base in Estonia, and by Romanian F-16 fighters from the Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania.
The B-52H Stratofortress is a multirole long-range strategic bomber capable of flying at an altitude up to 50,000 feet (more than 15 kilometers). The aircraft carry both nuclear warheads and traditional precision-guided munitions. In a conventional conflict, the bomber can target strategic installations, provide air support for ground units, and take part in naval offensive operations, the headquarters said.