In a strategic move against Iran, the U.S. has stationed B-1B Lancer bombers at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK. This deployment marks a significant escalation as American forces engage in Operation Epic Fury aimed at curbing Iranian missile threats.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the use of British bases for these missions, emphasizing their role in “specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region.”
The BBC noted the arrival of at least three B-1B Lancers, with initial landings on March 6 followed by additional aircraft on March 7.
Reports from The Aviationist, a reputable aviation tracking outlet, indicate that four bombers arrived initially, and subsequent flights have increased the total presence to eight B-1Bs stationed in Europe.
The Aviationist also reported that three of these aircraft had to divert to Ramstein Air Base in Germany due to low visibility at Fairford, with five bombers currently at the UK base.
The B-1B Lancer, developed by Rockwell and now maintained by Boeing, is a versatile supersonic bomber managed by the Air Force Global Strike Command. It has the capacity to internally carry up to 24 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles.
According to CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper, the B-1 and B-2 bombers were instrumental in executing precise strikes on Iranian missile installations during the operation’s early hours. A social media update from CENTCOM on March 2 highlighted these efforts to “degrade Iranian ballistic missile capabilities.”
During a March 5 briefing, Cooper detailed that nearly 200 targets within Iran, including areas around Tehran, were hit in the 72-hour timeframe.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated an impending intensification of strikes, stating that operations over Iran are “about to surge dramatically.”
On March 4, Hegseth announced the U.S. had secured control over Iranian airspace and was transitioning to using gravity bombs instead of advanced stand-off weapons. The strategic positioning at Fairford allows for reduced mission turnaround times compared to deployments originating from the U.S.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved the use of British bases on March 1, framing it as a “specific and limited defensive purpose” aimed at neutralizing Iranian missiles. Initially, there was some resistance from President Trump, but the deployment was authorized for RAF Fairford, the U.S. Air Force’s sole dedicated heavy bomber base in Europe.
Furthermore, three B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, have also arrived at Fairford as of March 9, as reported by the BBC, joining the B-1B bombers already deployed.
The U.S. Air Force Europe has not confirmed or denied the specifics of these deployments.
