B52 bombers flying new USAF missions with RAF over Europe

If you’re missing those huge United States Air Force B52 bombers, they haven’t been *that* far away.

The huge aircraft have been flying across the Atlantic, but sadly not to RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds.

They have been on operations in European and international airspace in recent days, flying out from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

The aircraft from 2nd Bomb Wing have been working with US Naval Forces Europe-Africa as well as RAF Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft and Hellenic F-16 aircraft over the east Mediterranean Sea

They then conducted counter-maritime integration with P-8A Poseidon aircraft assigned to US Naval Forces Europe-Africa’s Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40).

Turkish F-16 aircraft currently supporting NATO Enhance Air Policing escorted the B-52H aircraft on their return to Morón Air Base, Spain.

“Integrating with our Navy and special operations counterparts always provides valuable training opportunities for aircrew,” said Gen. Jeff Harrigian, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander.

“As we learn from one another, we sharpen our skills and become a better, stronger joint force.”

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, departs from Morón Air Base, Spain, in support of a Bomber Task Force mission on May 24, 2021. (Image: USAF)

The B52 aircraft have also been on a mission with NATO in and around the international airspace over the Aegean and Black Seas on May 24, 2021.

The B-52H aircraft integrated with Hungarian Gripens, Italian Eurofighters and F-16 aircraft from Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria. The bombers conducted simulated target training in the Black Sea region before returning to Morón Air Base, Spain.

The bombers have been regular visitors to RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds, running a number of exercise and training missions from the forward operation base.

But they haven’t been back to the county since last September.

During their time in the Cotswolds, the planes flew more than 50 sorties and teamed up with allies and partners from more than 30 countries.

They linked up with USS Roosevelt and were deployed in North Sea, Baltic, Barents, Black Sea, East Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea regions.

Returning from their final mission out of RAF Fairford, one of the B52s signaled an emergency alert over Tewkesbury. It landed safely.

The U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, nuclear and conventional heavy bomber that can perform a wide variety of missions.

The bombers are capable of flying at high subsonic altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, the bomber can carry precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capabilities.