U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft flies over North Macedonia’s capital Skopje, on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. Two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron currently operating out of RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, conducted low approach flyovers on Monday over Southeastern Europe, including North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia. The purpose of each flyover is to demonstrate U.S. commitment and assurance to NATO Allies and partners located in Southeastern Europe. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)
In addition to the walled Croatian tourist resort of Dubrovnik, the aircraft flew over the government headquarters in Skopje, North Macedonia, the downtown Skanderbeg Square in the Albanian capital, Tirana, and up the Adriatic coast of Montenegro.
A marine prepares a helicopter on the deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
The Balkans and the Adriatic Sea have lately seen increased military, intelligence and propaganda activity by Moscow, which considers the region of its strategic interest because of its access to the Mediterranean.
A helicopter is parked on the deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
“The purpose of each flyover is to demonstrate U.S. commitment and assurance to NATO allies and partners located in southeastern Europe,” the U.S. Air Force said in a statement. “Additionally, this will provide citizens an opportunity to take photos, videos, and enjoy the aircraft flying overhead.”
Commander of the USS Kearsarge, Captain Thomas F. Foster speaks during a press conference in front of a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipėda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipėda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
Crowds gathered on the squares in Skopje and Tirana, and tourists watched in Dubrovnik and Montenegro as the giant bombers thundered overhead. Some onlookers waved American flags.
North Macedonia was the last nation to join NATO in 2020 and Montenegro did it in 2017, both despite strong opposition from Russia.
Lithuania’s Minister of Defence Arvydas Anusauskas speaks during a press conference in front of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
North Macedonia’s Army Chief of Stuff, Lt. Colonel Jovan Azmanovski, told TV broadcaster Kanal 5 that the bombers’ flights were symbolic proof that “our skies are safe.”
“People in North Macedonia were able to see a flights of USAF B52 two strategic bombers over Skopje, which demonstrate our NATO membership and the safety and security of our and skies of entire alliance. Our skies are safe and our (NATO) membership is more than visible,” Azmanovski said.
Helicopters are parked on the deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
In Tirana, Albanian Army Chief of Staff Arben Kingji said “we are witnessing a strategic military demonstration.”
“Our strategic partners are hand to hand with us, it’s a message of unity,” he said at the square where people gathered.
A pilot poses on the deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
The two B-52 Stratofortress aircraft are assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron currently operating out of RAF Fairford, United Kingdom.
A view of a Harrier Jet on the deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge of the United States Navy, at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
Since 2018, the U.S. has conducted more than 200 Bomber Task Force sorties with allies and partners.
A helicopter is parked on the deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
Most recently, this involved B-1B Lancer flights over the Nordic, Baltic, and Black Sea regions in May, as well as an air policing overflight of North Macedonia in June. In June, Stratofortresses conducted flights over the Arctic Ocean, and later took part in BALTOPS, the largest annual exercise in the Baltic Sea.
Sailors and Marines stand on the deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, during the ship’s welcome ceremony at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
In the Baltic Sea, the amphibious warship USS Kearsarge — the largest warship ever to visit Lithuania — was officially welcomed Monday. The country borders fellow NATO member Poland and Belarus, a Moscow ally.
A view of a Harrier Jet on the deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge of the United States Navy, at the seaport of Klaipeda, Lithuania, Monday, Aug. 22, 2022. The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), flagship of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 20, 2022. The ship’s presence in Lithuania builds on the strong and enduring relationship the United States shares with the Baltic country, showing NATO solidarity and unity. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)
On Monday, the NATO air police mission in Lithuania reported that jets were scrambled four times last week to identify and escort Russian war planes, which violated rules of international airspace.
