British and Norwegian F-35 fighter jets escort a US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bomber during the “Global Thunder 26” exercises in the North Sea. Both the United Kingdom and Norway operate variants of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, manufactured mostly in the United States. (UK Ministry of Defence)
British and Norwegian F-35s Just Protected a US Air Force B-52 in the High North
The synergy of Norwegian fighter jets, an American bomber, and a British aircraft carrier underscores the extent to which NATO nations have invested in interoperability and combined operations.
For the first time, a United States Air Force B-52 Stratofortress long-range strategic bomber was escorted by F-35 fifth-generation aircraft operating from two different air forces—neither of which was the US Air Force!
“Making history together,” wrote the official UK Carrier Strike Group social media account in a post on X. “For the first time an American B-52 was escorted by British F-35s, whilst working alongside Norwegian F-35s. A milestone for the UK, USA and Norway, and another example of what can be achieved when allies work as one.”
The British F-35Bs operated from RAF No. 617 Squadron on the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, while the Norwegian F-35As were based on land. Both nations’ air forces are participating in the ongoing Exercise Global Thunder, the US Strategic Command’s annual nuclear command and control exercise.
HMS Prince of Wales departed from His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth on October 18 for the second phase of Operation Firecrest, the Royal Navy’s “major 2026 Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployment” to the High North and Arctic, the UK’s senior military service previously announced. It is operating under NATO command to deter regional threats, counter increasing Russian naval activity, protect critical undersea infrastructure—including communication cables and energy pipelines—and to test alliance interoperability.
More than 1,200 British personnel, along with the F-35B stealth aircraft, Merlin and Wildcat helicopters, have been deployed to take part in the patrol. The flattop is being supported by the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Daring-class destroyer HMS Dauntless (D33) and the Norwegian frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen.
About the US Air Force’s B-52 Deployment
The US Air Force hasn’t indicated from what base the B-52 Stratofortress bomber operated, and it may have even been from a facility in the United States. Although the NATO Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk confirmed that the NATO fifth-generation fighters escorted the B-52 bomber and shared photos of the aircraft in formation, it didn’t confirm from which base the bomber took off.
The US Air Force has long operated the B-52 from RAF Fairford in western England. However, six of the bombers that had been deployed there returned to the United States last month after an apparent attempted terrorist attack at the base.
The Stratofortress that flew over the Norwegian Sea as part of Exercise Global Thunder 26 likely originated from US strategic bomber forces—either the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base (AFB), North Dakota, or the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. It isn’t uncommon for US long-range bombers to conduct such long-haul missions, a reminder of the capabilities of the aircraft and their ability to strike nearly anywhere on the globe.
Amid Trump Threats, NATO Members Are Keeping Their Heads Down
The joint operation with the Royal Norwegian Air Force came just a day after President Donald Trump described Norway as a “sh*t house country” during a rally in Michigan on Sunday, where he also suggested that Norwegian immigrants would not be welcome in the United States. The latest invective was in response to his not winning the Nobel Peace Prize, an award he greatly covets. (The prize was instead awarded to international human rights jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay.)
“Norway sucks,” the president added.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide rejected Trump’s insult, and in a statement reminded him that the Norwegian Nobel Committee operates independently of the Norwegian government. The remarks do not appear to have had any effect on the ongoing Global Thunder 26 exercise.
Trump had previously praised Norwegian and other Nordic immigrants. In January 2018, he was reported to have contrasted Norway with what he described as “sh*thole countries” such as Nigeria and Haiti, suggesting he would rather have immigration from the former than the latter.
The president initially denied making that remark, but acknowledged it years later during a speech in December 2025.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. He has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites over a 30-year career in journalism, including Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author at Editor@nationalinterest.org.
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