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BOMBER PARTICIPATION
During these two exercises there were three types of bombers (B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit and the B-52H Stratofortress) deployed to RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. 2017 was the first time that all three bombers were deployed simultaneously at RAF Fairford. In total there were 3 B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base and 3 Boeing B-52H Stratofortresses from Barksdale Air Force Base, based at RAF Fairford for these exercises. The two B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base were at RAF Fairford only for a scheduled media day.
About 800 Air Force Global Strike Command personnel were deployed to RAF Fairford to support the exercises with the United States joint-partners and NATO Allies. The deployment of strategic bombers provides important integration and interaction with the United States' NATO allies and partner nations.
BALTOPS & SABER STRIKE
BALTOPS is an annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region held each June. During the two weeks of the exercise, about 4000 personnel, more than 50 ships and submarines and about 55 aircraft from 14 countries take part in intensive and complex training. The goal of this exercise is to enhance flexibility and interoperability among the participants.
Saber Strike is a joint U.S.-European Command training exercise that takes place in various regions in the Baltics and Poland each year from May to June. 11,000 U.S. and NATO service members from 20 countries take part in this exercise.
The goal of Sabre Strike is to practice with NATO’s enhanced forward presence battle groups as part of a multinational division, while conducting an integrated, deterrence-oriented field training exercise designed to improve the interoperability and readiness of participating nations’ armed forces.