US and Russian officials continue to hash out the details of a B-52/Tu-95 bomber exchange, Air Force Global Strike Command spokeswoman Capt. Karen Mock told the Daily Report. “Further discussions are presently underway to solidify the details for the execution of exchange visits of bombers, crews, and support personnel,” said Mock on Jan. 11. AFGSC announced the US-Russia “long-range aviation bomber exchange program” last August after a command-led delegation returned from a site survey of Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, to determine if Engels was suitable to support B-52H operations. The July 21-28, 2012, visit came after a Russian group toured Barksdale AFB, La., from July 11-12, 2012, to gauge its ability to host the Tu-95. Mock said the “site surveys at both locations were found to be satisfactory.” The Russians proposed the bomber exchange during annual US-Russia security-cooperation discussions, she said.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited the site of U.S. Space Command’s future home Dec. 12 and endorsed the move to establish the headquarters in Alabama after years of political back and forth.
