This marks the second deployment of US Air Force B-52s to RAF Fairford this year, following the BTF-25-2 Europe mission in February.
Last week, two United States Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Barksdale Air Force Base (AFB), Louisiana, made a low-profile flight to Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford. As previously reported, the exact nature of the deployment was unclear at the time.
However, additional information has now been released. The US Air Force’s 307th Bomb Wing confirmed that the two aircraft, with callsigns SCALP93 and SCALP94, had arrived at the British airbase on Thursday, September 11, and will take part in the upcoming Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2 (CW 25-2).
“The RAF-led Exercise has been hosted by the United Kingdom biannually since 2019, focusing on operational and tactical high-end spectrum warfighting in a contested, degraded and limited operating environment,” the Air Force announced. However, it did not describe the deployment as being part of the latest Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission.
As the UK-based Gloucestershire Live explained, the Cold War-era long-range strategic bombers are “no strangers” to the base and “are regularly sent here on deployment,” which has included non-BTF missions, such as taking part in the Royal International Air Tattoo.
The B-52 Stratofortress’ Specifications
- Year Introduced: 1955
- Number Built: 744 (76 in service today)
- Length: 159 ft, 4 in
- Wingspan: 185 ft
- Weight: ~185,000 lb empty; 488,000 lb MTOW
- Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans
- Top Speed: 650 mph (1,050 km/h)
- Range: 8,800 miles (14,200 km) without aerial refueling
- Service Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
- Loadout: Up to 70,000 lb mixed ordnance, including gravity bombs, mines, and missiles. (46 of the 76 B-52s in service are equipped for nuclear cruise missiles.)
- Aircrew: 5
The B-52 Stratofortress and Cobra Warrior 25-2
Training missions will be conducted at various locations across England, with personnel and aircraft from multiple NATO and partner nations participating. It is the second time that aircraft from the BW have participated in the joint exercises with the RAF since 2019.
“The primary objective of our mission during Cobra Warrior 2025 is to enhance interoperability with our NATO and allied partners while executing complex, multi-domain operations,” said Lt. Col. Kenny Squires, 307th Cobra Warrior Exercise Deployed Commander. “We’re here to train like we fight—in joint, coalition environments—so we can respond effectively to any threat, anywhere in the world.”
CW 25-2 will also conclude the UK Qualified Weapons Instructor course.
“The B-52 brings strategic reach and long-range strike capabilities to the fight. Exercises like Cobra Warrior 2025 ensure we keep a sharp edge,” added Squires. “For our team, it’s a chance to operate in a high-tempo, coalition environment away from home station and build readiness that underpins global deterrence. It also ensures our allies have exposure to heavy bomber integration and capabilities that they may not see regularly so that both of us are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges.”
RAF Fairford Is the B-52’s Home Away from Home
This marks the second deployment of US Air Force B-52s to RAF Fairford this year, following the BTF-25-2 Europe mission in February, when four Boeing B-52s—from Minot AFB, North Dakota—were deployed to Europe, spending nearly a month operating in England.
During the BTF-25-2 Europe mission, the bombers took part in 13 individual missions with US allies and partners in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, including in the TOWER CITADEL joint exercise with Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs, Royal Danish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, and Swedish JAS 39 Gripens in the Arctic region. One of the Stratofortress bombers also carried out a low-level flyover of the Norwegian capital of Oslo, escorted by Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35s.
It is unclear whether the two B-52s from Barksdale AFB will remain in the UK or if the deployment is solely tied to the Cobra Warrior 2025 exercises.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
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