3 US Bomber Planes Are Ready in the UK, Including B-52s
JAKARTA - A total of three US bombers have landed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire.
Citing the BBC, Tuesday, March 10, this deployment comes after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer allowed the US to use British bases, including RAF Fairford, for "defensive" operations related to the conflict with Iran.
The first arrival at RAF Fairford was the B-1 Lancer bomber on Friday night, March 6, followed by a second B-1 a day later, then now a B-52 bomber measuring 49 meters and capable of launching missiles over 2,414 km.
This is also the first time that the B-52 has been seen in Britain during the recent war.
The B-52 aircraft piloted by five crew members is one of the longest-serving and most versatile heavy bombers of the US Air Force, capable of carrying up to 31,751 kg of mixed weapons.
The aircraft first flew in 1952, but remains a core part of the US strategic force to this day because of its capacity, long range, and flexibility.
RAF Fairford, which lies on the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire border, has been used by the US in the past for long-range heavy bombing missions.
RAF Fairford is one of the few military bases in Europe certified to operate bombers such as the B-1, B-52, and B-2.