Two Boeing B52H Stratofortresses of the US Air Force have arrived at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire this evening for their latest deployment at the strategic air base.
The aircraft have been deployed from the 69th Bomb Squadron who are based at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota
Details of the deployment have not been released yet but previous operations have seen the B52s from Fairford take part in NATO exercises over the Baltic states and act as a show of force against Russian aggression in the region.
The Boeing B52H Stratofortress is a nuclear-capable long-range heavy bomber that has been in service with the US Air Force since 1955 and has been continually upgraded.
Powered by 8 × Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans the aircraft can carry a payload of 31,500kgs which can include Bombs, missiles and mines. A mixed loadout can include 12 AGM-129 advanced cruise missiles, 20 AGM-86A air-launched cruise missiles, and eight bombs.
RAF Fairford is the US Air Forces heavy bomber deployment base in the UK and also operates as a base for the U2 Spy Plane of the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron which flies almost daily missions from the base.
It is also home to the 420th Air Base Squadron and 420th Munitions Squadron which maintain the base and the munitions stored within.