Plane enthusiasts were quick to spot a B-1 Lancer heavy bomber landing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire this evening. The US Air Force’s B-1 Lancer, capable of carrying up to a 75,000-pound payload, marks a significant military presence at the British base.
This deployment follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s approval for the US to carry out defensive strikes against Iranian missile facilities from UK bases. Western officials had previously confirmed that US aircraft were expected to arrive at RAF Fairford soon, with Britain prepared to accommodate them.
Defence Secretary John Healey has indicated that UK aircraft might also participate in any future strikes on Iran, emphasizing the need to adapt military actions as situations evolve.
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Downing Street reiterated that the UK’s primary focus remains on defending its allies in the Middle East, while permitting the US to target missile sites within Iran. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman stated: “We have consistently said that we’ll take the necessary steps to prevent future strikes… allowing the US to take out those missiles at source whilst we are defending the skies.”
Multiple flight tracking websites show several US military planes en route to RAF Fairford, including the massive Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster.
On Thursday night, UK F-35 and Typhoon jets, supported by Voyager air-to-air refuelling tankers, conducted defensive patrols over Qatar, Jordan, and the eastern Mediterranean, as confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
The UK’s response to the crisis has drawn criticism, notably over its defense of Cyprus and the RAF Akrotiri base, which was recently targeted by a drone strike.
Approval for UK bases to be used in operations against Iran’s missile sites came only after Tehran launched a series of retaliatory attacks across the region.
The Type 45 air defence destroyer HMS Dragon is not expected to deploy to the eastern Mediterranean until next week. France and Greece have already dispatched military forces to protect Cyprus.
The delayed deployment of HMS Dragon is partly due to preparations allowing it to sustain extended operations at sea, rather than a short-term mission to the region.