U.S. B-52 Bombers & Carrier USS Harry S. Truman send strong message to Algeria’s military junta

The United States has demonstrated its defense and security commitment to Morocco through joint military training, proving U.S. long-range strike capabilities and standing with the North African Kingdom, an ally and strategic partner, against regional threats.

U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted lately a training with the Moroccan military at Aoreora Range south of Agadir, Morocco.

Two U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bomber aircraft from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., departed England en route to Morocco whereupon entering Moroccan airspace, the Royal Moroccan Air Force F-16s intercepted the B-52s to conduct interoperability and escort the bombers to the range.

At Aoreora, Moroccan and U.S. Special Operations Joint Tactical Air Controllers contacted the bombers to conduct a live munitions drop. The JTACs guided the bombers onto a target, releasing two 500-pound bombs.

“Our ability to conduct these long-range missions from across multiple combatant commands in cooperation with our partners on the continent highlight our partnership and continued military-to-military engagements and training when working with partners on the continent,” said Maj. Gen. Claude Tudor, U.S. Africa Command Director of Operations.

“These missions reinforce our commitment to African partners and Allies while helping support regional and African security”, he added, noting that this joint training further showcases the longstanding relationship between Morocco and the U.S. and strengthens military interoperability.

Prior to the B-52 training mission with Moroccan air forces, a delegation of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces, led Lt. General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces, visited “USS Harry S. Truman” aircraft carrier as part of joint military exercises with the US forces in the Mediterranean, off Moroccan coast at Al Hoceima.

The $4.5 billion warship is a floating city of 5200 crewmembers. It is 24 stories high, 333 m long and 78 m wide. Named after the 33rd president of the United States, S. Truman (CVN 75) is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It can accommodate around 90 aircraft and has a flight deck 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) in size, using four elevators (360 m2 each) to move planes between the flight deck and the hangar bay. She is equipped with three 20 mm Phalanx CIWS (rapid-fire, computer-controlled, radar-guided gun) and two Sea Sparrow SAM launchers.