A European Circle photo shows an F-16 fighter jet that appears to be parked at Volcker Air Base in the Netherlands, with what appears to be a training version of the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb under its wings. As part of NATO's nuclear-sharing agreement, it offers a rare glimpse into the deployment of the latest U.S. nuclear bomb in Europe.
Volkel is one of several bases from which the U.S. military retains B61s in Europe, and as part of NATO's nuclear** sharing agreement, these B61 bombers may be released to selected NATO member states for use by their aircraft.
The tail of the B61-12 is also markedly different from the earlier B61 variant, which is clearly visible in **. The B61-12 has a unique rear end, as it is the first version of this nuclear bomb with a precision-guided tail kit. The B61-12 is a combination of many of the components of the earlier B61 type with a new tail and other improvements.
It is not clear whether the F-16 in the picture belongs to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). RNLAF is currently transitioning to the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter and expects to retire the last Viper fighter in the coming year. In November, the head of the Dutch Air Combat Command announced that the country's F-35A fleet had received "preliminary certification of deterrence missions."
It is not known if there are any B61-12s in service in Europe, and according to official information released so far, only the US Air Force B-2 Spirit ** bombers are currently approved for use with the B61-12. The Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, as well as the service's future B-21 Raider** bomber, will also serve as operational delivery platforms for these nuclear bombs.
In the previous article U.S. Armed Forces Dynamics 6: B2 bombers are allowed to mount B61-12 nuclear bombs for the first time, the U.S. and NATO F-16s and NATO Tornado fighters will not be able to use the guidance function on the B61-12. The question may become increasingly irrelevant. All currently known NATO member states that have signed a nuclear sharing agreement have purchased or are in the process of purchasing F-35 fighter jets to replace their F-16 and/or Tornado fighter jets. 
The Fall/Winter Punch Challenge B61-12 is expected to be integrated into select NATO F-16s as well as U.S. Air Force Viper fighter jets. In addition to the Vipers in service with the Netherlands, some Belgian Vipers are currently approved for use in older B61 modifications under NATO nuclear sharing arrangements. Some of the Panavia Tornado rotary-wing fighters in service with Germany and Italy are also capable of serving as nuclear delivery platforms, and Germany's decision to purchase Joint Strike Fighters is also largely driven by the demands associated with nuclear missions.
Overall, NATO members participating in the alliance's nuclear** sharing arrangements have historically been very cautious about this fact. There has been a noticeable shift in attitudes since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022, and this shift has become even more pronounced since the Russian military deployed nuclear weapons on the front lines of neighboring Belarus earlier this year. And the interest of the Polish authorities in having American nuclear ** at least in the future is especially open.
It is likely that the ** of the F-61 with the shape of the B12-16 under the wing was filmed at Volcker Air Force Base, which further emphasizes that NATO is still largely a nuclear alliance and that its member states are actively working to be able to apply new capabilities in the military sphere.