“USAF B-52 flying over the Baltic Sea turned around after being tracked by Russian Air Defense System,” Russian MoD Says

“USAF B-52 flying over the Baltic Sea turned around after being tracked by Russian Air Defense System,” Russian MoD Says

By Dario Leone
Mar 17 2019
Share this article

The Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a USAF B-52H was spotted flying over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea.

As reported by Sputnik News, on Mar. 15, 2019 Russian-language Plane Radar flight tracker reported that a US Air Force (USAF) Boeing B-52H Stratofortress (61-0009) strategic bomber flying over the Baltic Sea had approached the border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad practicing an attack against Russian Navy Baltic Fleet base in Baltiysk.

“USAF B-52 flying over the Baltic Sea turned around after being tracked by Russian Air Defense System,” Russian MoD Says

The Russian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a USAF B-52H was spotted flying over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea, adding that the plane’s sudden U-turn maneuver was made after it was picked up by Russian air defenses.

“On March 15, 2019, a US Air Force B-52 aircraft with its transponder switched on performed a flight over international waters of the Baltic Sea parallel to Russia’s territorial waters,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The plane did not approach Russia’s border closer than 150 kilometers, and turned around immediately after Russian air defence systems on combat duty tracked it,” the statement added.

In 2017, the last time that a USAF B-52H was reported operating near Russia’s borders over the Baltic Sea, a Su-27 fighter was scrambled to intercept and escort it out of the area.

According to a USAF press release, a Bomber Task Force deployment of B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, Airmen and support equipment from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, have arrived in the U.S. European Command area of operations for a deployment to conduct theater integration and flying training, on Mar. 14.

“USAF B-52 flying over the Baltic Sea turned around after being tracked by Russian Air Defense System,” Russian MoD Says
This print is available in multiple sizes from AircraftProfilePrints.com – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS. B-52H Stratofortress 2nd BW, 20th BS, LA/60-0008 “Lucky Lady IV”. Barksdale AFB, LA

The aircraft will operate out of RAF Fairford, England. The deployment of strategic bombers to the U.K. helps exercise RAF Fairford as United States Air Forces in Europe’s forward operating location for bombers.

The deployment also includes joint and allied training in the U.S. European Command theater to improve bomber interoperability. Training with joint partners, allied nations and other U.S. Air Force units contributes to our ready and postured forces and enables us to build enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges.

“USAF B-52 flying over the Baltic Sea turned around after being tracked by Russian Air Defense System,” Russian MoD Says
This model is available from AirModels – CLICK HERE TO GET YOURS.

Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

Artwork courtesy of AircraftProfilePrints.com


Share this article

Dario Leone

Dario Leone

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share this article


Share this article
Share this article

Always up to date! News and offers delivered directly to you!

Get the best aviation news, stories and features from The Aviation Geek Club in our newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

Error: Contact form not found.


Share this article
Back to top
My Agile Privacy
This website uses technical and profiling cookies. Clicking on "Accept" authorises all profiling cookies. Clicking on "Refuse" or the X will refuse all profiling cookies. By clicking on "Customise" you can select which profiling cookies to activate. We and our selected ad partners can store and/or access information on your device, such as cookies, unique identifiers, browsing data. You can always choose the specific purposes related to profiling by accessing the advertising preferences panel, and you can always withdraw your consent at any time by clicking on "Manage consent" at the bottom of the page.

List of some possible advertising permissions:

You can consult: our list of advertising partners, the Cookie Policy and the Privacy Policy.
Warning: some page functionalities could not work due to your privacy choices