The United States has concentrated a significant portion of its bomber force at RAF Fairford, with around 15 B-1B Lancers now deployed to the base — roughly a third of the aircraft type still in service, according to Air Forces & Space Magazine.

The buildup intensified on March 26, when three additional B-1Bs arrived from Ellsworth Air Force Base, bringing the total number of U.S. bombers at the site to about 21. The deployment also includes six B-52H Stratofortress aircraft, according to flight-tracking data and observations from local spotters.

RAF Fairford, in southwest England, has become a key operating location for long-range strike missions linked to U.S. operations targeting Iranian military infrastructure. The base’s long runway and proximity to the Middle East allow bombers to reach targets more efficiently than flying directly from the United States.

Follow us: WhatsApp | BlueSky | Google News | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

The U.S. military has not officially detailed the composition of forces at Fairford, but aircraft movements have been closely tracked through open-source data and radio communications. Recent arrivals were identified using “Purse” callsigns during their transatlantic flight.

The scale of the deployment is notable given the limited availability of the B-1B fleet. Of the 44 aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory, only a portion are operational at any given time due to maintenance and testing requirements. With mission-capable rates historically below 50%, the number of B-1Bs in the UK likely represents a large share of those ready for combat.

B-52H bomber (USAF)

The B-1B has taken a central role in the current operations, largely due to its high payload capacity. The bomber can carry large quantities of precision-guided munitions internally, making it suited for sustained strike missions. Reports indicate the aircraft have been loaded with JDAM guided bombs, commonly used in previous U.S. air campaigns.

Alongside the B-1B, B-52 bombers deployed to Fairford have been observed carrying stand-off weapons such as JASSM missiles, offering longer-range strike options with smaller warheads.