In an impressive display of capabilities, Royal Moroccan Air Force fighter jets “intercepted” United States Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers as part of a joint training event.
The bombers from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, departed England for Morocco in late November 2024. Upon entering Moroccan airspace, the F-16s “intercepted” them en route to the Aoreora Range south of Agadir. At Aoreora, Moroccan and U.S. Special Operations joint tactical air controllers contacted the bombers to conduct a live munitions drop. The controllers guided the bombers to their target, where they released two 227-kilogram bombs.
“Our ability to conduct these long-range missions across multiple combatant commands in cooperation with our partners on the continent highlights our partnership, continued military-to-military engagements and training when working with continental partners,” said Maj. Gen. Claude Tudor, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). “These missions reinforce our commitment to African partners and allies while helping support regional and African security.”
The B-52s flew to Morocco as part of a bomber task force mission, reinforcing the United States’ ability to project strategic reach and long-range strike capabilities. The mission coincided with a visit to Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya by U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of AFRICOM. In a meeting with Kenyan officials, U.S. officials stressed AFRICOM’s “commitment to enabling partner effectiveness and bilateral efforts on counterterrorism operations.” The two partner nations shared their concerns about regional security and emphasized the importance of partnerships to promote regional peace and security.