Aircraft from the San Diego-bound USS Abraham Lincoln trained with an Air Force bomber during exercises last weekend in the Arabian Sea.
The B-52H Stratofortress was joined by F/A-18 Super Hornets and E-2D Hawkeyes from the Lincoln for air-to-air training, flying in formation, and simulated strike operations on Saturday.
The aircraft from the Lincoln simulated both opposing and friendly forces during the exercise.
“It’s a pretty awesome feeling to look up and see our jets flying alongside the Air Force bomber,” said Capt. William “Spig” Reed, commander, Carrier Air Wing 7. “The training the air wing conducted with the B-52 today is an incredible demonstration of how our military can to rapidly join capabilities to enhance our lethality and our ability to respond to any threat when called upon.”
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is deployed in the Middle East along with the USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group amid rising tensions with Iran. At the end of the deployment, the Lincoln will head to its new home port of San Diego.