USAF's B-1B lands in Poland for the first time
Following our earlier news item of a B-1B Lancer visiting the Arctic, one B-1B Lancer landed at Polish soil for the first time on 12 March 2021.
The Lancer, with serial 86-0117/DY (as 7BW flagship) from the 7th Bomb Wing, flew a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission from Ørland Main Air Station (Norway) to Powidz air base (Poland).
The flight included the first ever hot-pit refuel of a bomber aircraft in Europe. "Hot pitting", or refueling the aircraft while the engines are on and the crew remains in the flightdeck, drastically reduces refueling times so that bombers can more rapidly return to the skies.
In addition to this historic first, the B-1B integrated with Flygvapnet (Swedish Air Force) JAS39 Gripen fighters, Siły Powietrzne (Polish Air Force) F-16s and Flyvevåbnet (RDAF, Royal Danish Air Force) F-16s. The Lancer also conducted aerial refueling with a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall (UK).
Hot-pit refueling is a pillar of Agile Combat Employment (ACE), which enhances bombers’ ability to rapidly deploy and operate from austere and remote locations with varying levels of capacity and support.
Photo: USAF