USAF and RAF’s ties ‘almost structural’ as US air force ‘needs’ bases in Europe

The US needs air force bases in Europe in order to maintain its political and strategic interests across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the head of the US Eight Air force has said. It comes just days after US President reportedly called for an end to all US military exercises with NATO amid pressure from some of his supporters to pull out of the alliance altogether.

Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost made his remarks as US Bomber Task Force 25-2 prepared to complete the ninth deployment of American bombers over Europe since ’s illegal invasion of . The latest batch of four USAF B-52B and B-52H Stratofortresses, from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, arrived in February for a six-week deployment. The bombers have taken part in NATO missions over the Baltic Sea and eastern Europe alongside British Rivet Joint surveillance planes and, Gen Armagost said, had experienced several “Russian interactions”.

“One of the things we know about the Pacific is the ‘tyranny of distance’ – you have to fly for many more hours to touch a few countries,” said Gen Armagost from RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire.

“But the Bomber Task Force is incredibly effective in the European theatre because, for that same duration​, we can almost touch the entire continent.

“From Europe, we can fly to Africa, we can fly to the Middle East. And that has been done just in the last few weeks. This is of incredible value.”

Because it takes three months of preparation before every arrival – including the securing of parts for maintenance – it means the Bomber Taskforce is keeping RAF Fairford constantly busy.

Gen Armagost also spoke of the high level of integration between the US Air Force and RAF.

“The history we have in the UK, particularly for air operations, is deep. The RAF trains with us in the US a lot. And so the historical ties really carry us through,” he said.

He added: “I always expect to see an RAF officer wherever I am around the world. That deep, deep tie and history between our air forces is almost structural.”

On Friday it emerged that President Trump had informed allies that he does not plan to participate in military exercises held in Europe beyond those already scheduled in 2025.

Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, deputy commander NATO Allied Air Command, said: “What you’re seeing is testament to 75 years of the world’s most successful alliance.

“Like all alliances and all relations between the two countries, over time they have their ups and their downs. But the fact that NATO before ‘s invasion of was 30 nations and now has 32 nations, and the essential deterrence these missions across Europe provide, tells how serious and how resolute we are as allies.”

And he warned that a military backstop with a no-fly in will need credibility.

”I speak as someone who has operated and flown in two no-fly zones in the past. The point is not just what you actually do in the no-fly zone itself. It’s also the credibility of what backs it up.

“So whatever the future may look like in , the importance of all of the aircraft that NATO is able to put into its deterrent posture is vital.”