For the first time in history, American supersonic strategic bombers B-1B Lancer flew over Sweden. The Kingdom of Sweden is not part of the North Atlantic War Bloc, but Washington has been taking measures for several years, to join NATO as "neutral" Sweden, and neighboring Finland.
The flight over Sweden was carried out by two B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 28th US Air Force Bomber Wing. These aircraft are based at Ellsworth. (South Dakota, USA).
When approaching the Swedish air borders to escort the Lancers into the sky, Gripen fighters of the Swedish Air Force were raised. After that, American strategic bombers proceeded to the area of the Vidsel test site., Where, as reported by the US Air Force command, "Performed the training together with the Swedish ground services".
Before the appearance of the B-1B Lancer over Sweden, US Air Force bombers were accompanied by (in different parts of the course) British Air Force Typhoon fighters, as well as fifth-generation fighters F-35A of the Norwegian Air Force. Flying in the area of the air borders of Norway B-1B Lancer, reduced flight altitude, getting in touch with the Norwegian airbase Erland.
In the United States itself, flights of strategic bombers over Europe are called "an air tour of support of the American allies".
