Three more US bombers have landed in the UK after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approved “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases.
The B-52 bombers that arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire earlier measure 160ft (49m) and are capable of launching missiles more than 1,500 miles (2414km).
They join a fleet of US military planes now stationed at the base after a B-1 Lancer bomber arrived on Friday evening, followed by two more on Saturday.
After granting the US permission to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the prime minister told MPs the government “does not believe in regime change from the skies”.
A large black B52 military bomber, a long sleek black plane, coming down the runway at Fairford air base. It is a misty day and there is barbed wire in the foreground.
Air activity has increased significantly at RAF Fairford in the last 72 hours, with the United States putting in some of its heavy-duty bomber forces.
This is the first time B-52s have been seen in the UK during this current conflict.
The B‑52, piloted by a crew of five, is one of the US Air Force’s longest‑serving and most versatile heavy bombers and can carry up to 70,000 pounds (31,751kg) of mixed weapons.
It first flew in 1952, yet remains a core part of the United States’ strategic power today due to its capacity, long range, and flexibility.
A large black B-52 bomber. It is a long sleek looking plane with a sticker on the side of the cockpit saying ‘Bomber Barons’. It is coming down the runway on a misty day.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approved “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases
Sir Keir had initially refused to grant permission for the US to use UK bases in its joint offensive with Israel against Iran, which caused a disagreement with President Donald Trump.
But in a video statement released on Sunday, Sir Keir allowed the US request in the interest of “collective self-defence” of allies and protecting British lives, accusing Iran of pursuing a “scorched-earth strategy”.
The prime minister added the US would use UK bases for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of destroying Iran’s missiles “at source”.
The US and Israel began attacking Iran early on 28 February, with President Trump encouraging the Iranian people to remove the country’s government.
The Iranian regime has responded with attacks on US assets and countries in the region with a US military presence – including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.
Sir Keir had said UK aircraft were “in the sky” in the Middle East as part of a defensive operation to protect its allies and citizens in the region, but said the UK “played no role” in the strikes.
RAF Fairford, located on the border of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, has been used by the US in the past to conduct long-range heavy bombing missions.
It is one of the very few European bases certified to operate bombers like the B‑1, B‑52 and B‑2.
This makes it far more efficient for operations targeting Iran, which is located far beyond the range of US-based flights without refuelling. [BBC]
