On Friday, Voice of America, citing the US Air Force Command in Europe and Africa, reported that a long-range US bomber flew over the Baltic capitals of Vilnius, Tallinn and Riga, in a gesture of solidarity within NATO. The Rockwell B-1B Lancer was escorted by a pair of Polish F-16 fighters.

This mission is to send a clear message that our commitments to our NATO allies have not changed

Reuters quoted General Geoff Harrigian as saying.

We are together

– He confirmed.

Harrigian is the commander of the US Air Force in Europe and Africa.

This mission took place on Wednesday. According to the portal wojsko-polskie.pl, the bomber was accompanied by a pair of Polish F-16 fighters.

I sent the signal to Moscow

Reuters states that since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO and the US military have been stationed in the Baltic territory.

The bomber, who made a flight Wednesday, has been stationed in NATO-owned Norway since February as part of a mission that will last for several weeks. His missions include patrolling the Arctic region.

The US Air Force is deploying B-1 bombers in Norway for the first time in history to send a clear message to Moscow that the US military will operate in the Arctic region of strategic importance and to prove that it will defend US allies in the region against any aggression Russia near the borders of these countries

– CNN reported the announcement of the American mission.

JAH / PAP

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