A pair of U.S. Air Force B-52H Boeing Stratofortress bombers, of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, departed from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Wednesday. Cpl. Lee Matthews said: "The aircraft lifted under ‘FEAR’ callsigns, heading over Wales and the South West coast of England."
The B-52H Stratofortress is a heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions and can fly at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,167 metres). The airplanes can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability.
Four of the subsonic, jet-powered strategic warplanes are currently stationed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. They are part of the Bomber Task Force Europe
On Tuesday, B-52 Stratofortress aircraft - from the 5 th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota - conducted a series of integration flights connecting with Romania, Greece, and Italy.
The B-52 aircraft took off from RAF Fairford and flew over central Europe to meet up with Romanian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, this integration provided crucial Close Air Support training.
Before returning to base the B-52 aircraft integrated with Italian and Greek aircraft. The purpose of these integrations was to practice bilateral operations and bomber aircraft intercept procedures.
The USAF said: "Given the inherent speed, flexibility, and range of strategic bombers, Bomber Task Force missions highlight U.S. capabilities and commitment to work closely with our Allies and partners"
