This is the second a pair of US Air Force B-52H Boeing Stratofortress bombers took off from RAF Fairford earlier than occurring a mission over the South West and Wales. There are at the moment 4 of the plane based mostly on the airbase in Gloucestershire.
The footage exhibits them taxiing earlier than opening the throttled and roaring into the air. Plane fanatics have flocked to the bottom to catch a glimpse of the enduring plane that are a part of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron.
Earlier this week, the USAF confirmed that the B-52’s have been working over Europe to “integrate with NATO Allies over Europe” as a part of the ‘Bomber Task Force Europe’. Speaking after the newest take-off on Wednesday Cpl Lee Matthews stated: “The aircraft lifted under ‘FEAR’ callsigns, heading over Wales and the South West coast of England.”
Sometimes often called a BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fella), the US Air Force bomber is without doubt one of the oldest fashions in obligation, having made its first flight simply shy of 70 years in the past in 1952. Its title origin is straightforward – the ‘B’ in its title stands for bomber, and its first flight was made in 1952.
The Boeing web site states that the jet “primarily provides the United States with immediate nuclear and conventional global strike capability”. “The B-52 is the most combat capable bomber in the U.S. inventory. Due to its high mission-capable rate, large payload, long range, persistence and ability to employ both nuclear and conventional precision standoff weapons, the B-52 continues to be a critical contributor to the U.S. National Security Strategy.”
Having served within the Vietnam and Gulf wars, the operational historical past of the B-52 is lengthy. The newest mannequin, the B52H, are based mostly throughout two air bases, Minot, North Dakota and Barksdale, Louisiana with an extra one at Edwards Air Force Base and Dryden Flight Research Centre.
Four of the bombers are at the moment based mostly at RAF Fairford nonetheless, with the Cotswold airfield one of many USAF few UK airbases.
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Its most outstanding use lately has been as an airfield for United States Air Force in the course of the 2003 Iraq War and the primary Gulf War in 1991. It is the US Air Force’s solely European airfield for heavy bombers.
Speaking about an earlier mission the US Air Force stated: “B-52 Stratofortress aircraft from the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota conducted a series of integration flights connecting with Romania, Greece, and Italy, March 7, 2022.
“The B-52 aircraft took off from RAF Fairford and flew over central Europe to meet up with Romanian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, this integration provided crucial Close Air Support training.
“Before returning to base the B-52 aircraft integrated with Italian and Greek aircraft. The purpose of these integrations was to practice bilateral operations and bomber aircraft intercept procedures.
“Given the inherent speed, flexibility, and range of strategic bombers, Bomber Task Force missions highlight U.S. capabilities and commitment to work closely with our Allies and partners.”
U.S. Air Force B-52H Boeing Stratofortress bombers have been operated by the United States Air Force because the Fifties. The posting to Gloucestershire comes amid tensions in Europe with the Russia invasion of Ukraine.
