On September 29, 2026, the U.S. B-1B Lancer bomber took part in a NATO air defense training mission over Lithuania and Latvia. This was the first participation of a U.S. bomber in an operation under the Alliance’s new air defense framework, AeroTime reports.
According to NATO Allied Air Command, the mission also involved German and Italian Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, Spanish F/A-18 Hornets, and Turkish F-16 Fighting Falcons. Aerial refueling was provided by Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft of the multinational MRTT unit and an Italian KC-767A.
The air component of the exercise was commanded by the French Air and Space Force. Spanish and Latvian ground assets were also integrated into the exercise to simulate multidomain air defense operations.
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On September 10, NATO Allied Air Command said that the new framework combines the Alliance’s air and missile defense measures under common rules, guidance, and command-and-control procedures. It covers threats ranging from manned aircraft and drones to cruise and ballistic missiles.
According to NATO, during 2026 the Alliance updated the Air Policing mission, which has been operating since 1961, and integrated it with other measures into a comprehensive air defense system. In the Baltic states, the four-month rotation model was retained, supplemented by additional Allied forces.
Before the Baltic mission, a Flexible Deterrent Option exercise was held over Romania on September 9, involving fighters and tanker aircraft from France, Greece, Romania, Spain, and Türkiye.
Source: UA
