A United States Air Force B2 Spirit, currently deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, flies above the English countryside near Dover with two RAF F-35 jets. For the first time, UK F-35 Lightning jets have been conducting integration flying training with the B-2 Spirit stealth bombers of the United States Air Force as part of their deployment to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK. The USAF deployment of the B-2’s from the Bomber Task Force Europe is long-planned. Whilst deployed to the UK the aircraft will conduct a series of training activities in Europe. During this deployment, RAF F-35B Lightning fighters are conducting sorties with the USAF B-2 bombers. Both are 5th generation aircraft and this is the first time that USAF B-2’s have trained with non-US F-35’s. RAF Fairford routinely hosts deployments and exercises by US strategic aircraft. These regular deployments reinforce the US Air Force Europe and the Royal Air Force’s unique and complementary partnership and our collective contribution to NATO. Imagery captured by a USAF Exchange Pilot.
Military aviation news

RAF F35’s train with USAF B2 Stealth Bombers

The Royal Air Force’s latest aircraft the F-35B Lightning is being put through its paces alongside the B2-A Spirit Stealth Bomber in the skies around Britain. The United States Air Force (USAF) has deployed 3 B2 Stealth Bombers to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire which in itself is a rare event [read more]

Airline news

First RAF P-8A Poseidon takes flight

The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon for the Royal Air Force has taken its first flight from Renton, Washington. The maritime poatrol aircraft, designated ZP801, took off and underwent a 90-minute test flight from the Boeing factory at Renton during which the aircraft underwent key testing. The aircraft has now moved [read more]

Jet2 Boeing 737-800 G-JZHH
Aviation safety news

RAF Jets scramble to intercept Jet2 flight

RAF Typhoon interceptors have been scrambled to intercept a Jet2 flight from Stansted to Dalaman which was being endangered by an unruly passenger. It was originally reported as a Ryanair flight but has since been confirmed as LS1503 which departed Stansted just before 5 pm this evening. The aircraft flew [read more]

3 Tornados carry out a flypast to mark the end of service for the Tornado (Image: John Edwards)
Military aviation news

RAF bids farewell to the Tornado

The Royal Air Force has said goodbye to the Panavia Tornado in a farewell tour of the UK which took place over the last 3 days. Originally designed as a low-level penetration bomber and strike fighter for the Cold War, the Tornado has been in service with the Royal Air [read more]

British helicopters have arrived in West Africa as the UK’s support to a key French counter-terrorism operation in Mali reaches its next phase. (Image: © Crown Copyright 2013)
Military aviation news

RAF Chinooks supporting French forces in Mali

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed that a deployment of three Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinook helicopters are now operational in Mali supporting French counter-terrorism forces. The helicopters from RAF Odiham in Hampshire will provide logistical support to French combat forces conducting counter-terrorism operations as part of Operation Barkhane. The [read more]

The Red Arrows in formation with an Airbus A400M (Image: Max Thrust Digital)
Military aviation news

MOD set to sell Red Arrows home base

The Ministry of Defence is preparing to sell RAF Scampton, home of The Red Arrows, as part of a plan to cut costs across the defence estate. The Lincolnshire base is earmarked for sale by 2022 along with North Yorkshire air base, RAF Linton-on-Ouse which is currently used as a flight [read more]

Features

70 Years On: The Berlin Airlift

As the Royal Air Force celebrates its centenary we look back at one of the most important times in its history when RAF aircraft took part in the Berlin Airlift. The Berlin Airlift began on the 26th June 1948 as a response to the Soviet Unions blockade of Allied-held West Berlin, [read more]