The US Air Force’s (USAF) B-52 Stratofortress bomber has conducted a long-range training sortie with the Colombian Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, US.
During the 27-hour nonstop mission, both air forces jointly executed a flyover of the International Fair of Air and Space in Santiago, Chile.
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During the US Strategic Command (STRATCOM)-directed long-range exercise training exercise, the USAF’s aircrew trained with the Colombian air force to improve interoperability.
STRATCOM commander admiral Cecil D. Haney said: "This bomber mission is just one of many demonstrations of our ability to maintain a credible strategic defence force.
"Within the last year, US Strategic Command bomber forces have conducted missions with Canadian, Colombian, Australian and Jordanian forces in national and international airspace.
"In addition to the outstanding training value realised by the US and our partners, these missions demonstrate the credibility of our forces to address a global strategic and security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than at any time in our history."
The B-52 bomber is a long-range, subsonic, strategic bomber designed to carry and fire both nuclear and conventional munitions for deterrence missions.
The aircraft entered service with the USAF in 1955, and is also operated by the US Navy for anti-surface and submarine warfare operations.
