U.S. Air Force bombers have returned to their American base following a series of NATO exercises to test alliance readiness to the threat posed by Russia, as a Newsweek map shows the strategic Arctic region where they were intercepted by allied jets.

Two B-52H Stratofortresses conducted the training with Dutch, Danish and Swedish fighter jets as part of the 13 operations of the Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment, Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) said in a statement.

It comes amid spiraling tensions between Russia and NATO with Moscow sending jets near the alliance’s eastern border.

Newsweek has contacted USAFE-AFAFRICA for comment.

Why It Matters

European leaders have moved to bolster defense spending in light of threats by President Donald Trump to distance the U.S. from NATO, but the latest drills show the level of American cooperation with the bloc as Russia is accused of provocations in the air space in eastern Europe and near North America.

The allied militaries did not specify where within the Arctic Circle the exercise took place, but the area is home to Russian bases including Severomorsk in Murmansk and Arctic trade passages like the Northern Sea Route, which serves Russia’s vast Siberia region.

What To Know

The U.S. Air Force said two B-52H Stratofortresses and aircrews conducted intercept training in the Arctic region on Monday.

The drills involved Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs, Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens.

As part of the Bomber Task Force 25-2 mission, the mission allowed NATO members to test the responses and power projection capabilities when faced with simulated airborne threats.

Lieutenant Colonel Kendall Smith, Bomber Task Force chief for U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) said that the aim was to prepare for “real-world scenarios” and to strengthen warfighting capabilities.

Smith’s statement did not mention any country by name but the drills follow a spike in tension in the region.

Last November, Russian Sukhoi SU-27 fighter jets intercepted two B-52 Stratofortress bombers near Russia’s Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad, Reuters reported.

The U.S. bombers had been in the Baltic Sea region to train with their NATO ally Finland which has accused Moscow of hybrid warfare actions following its accession to the alliance.

On Wednesday, USAFE-AFAFRICA said that after the mission all four B-52H Stratofortress bombers and aircrews involved in the Bomber Task Force 25-2 deployment had returned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.

The squadron had completed 13 operational missions over 20 allies and partners, including air and land forces from Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

This included the Fortress Hail mission over the Baltic Sea, GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions drops conducted with Finland and air support missions with NATO’s newest member, Sweden.

The B-52H aircraft also operated as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of RAF Fairford, United Kingdom.

On March 14, Norwegian F-35s escorted a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress which Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik said sends an important signal of the U.S. commitment to European and Norwegian security.

What People Are Saying

Major General Joseph Campo, U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa: “Bomber Task Force missions reinforce our ability to rapidly project combat power, demonstrating U.S. lethality and readiness in a dynamic security environment.”

Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik: “The fact that the Americans come to Norway to train with the Norwegian Armed Forces sends an important signal of the U.S. commitment to European and Norwegian security.”

What Happens Next

Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to focus minds among NATO leaders about the threat posed by Moscow. Further alliance exercises are planned in the next three months, such as Solar Eclipse drills in Latvia on March 24, Crystal Arrow maneuvers in May and BALTOPS [Baltic Operations] in June.