This weekend two 11 Squadron Typhoons from RAF Akrotiri escorted an American B-52 bomber on its transit through the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Royal Air Force say here that the two B-52 Stratofortresses, assigned to the US Air Force Global Strike Command, travelled from RAF Fairford and flew over the Eastern Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea before departing the region.
“Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate readiness and enhance mission preparation for the US Air Force, but also provide significant training opportunities for coalition partnerships across the Broader Middle East. Escorts supporting the transit included fighter aircraft from the Kuwait Air Force and the Royal Saudi Air Force.
Senior National Representatives of 16 coalition nations, led by the Canadian Senior National Representatives, Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Wong, provided logistical support for the transit of the Bomber Task Force from the Combined Air Operations Centre.”
Army General “Erik” Kurilla, Commander of USCENTCOM, was quoted as saying:
“This kind of operation demonstrates the collective capabilities of the military partnership we’ve developed in the Middle East. We have the ability to put a significant measure of combat power in the air alongside our partners very quickly. We can do the same on the ground and at sea.”
Wing Commander Collins, UK National Approval Authority, was also quoted:
“From planning and co-ordination through to the execution phase, the Bomber Task Force exercise is a true coalition effort. Aircraft and personnel from a number of nations are playing their part, helping to enhance integration between broader coalition forces in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions. UK participation of Typhoon fighters, along with the team here in the Combined Air Operations Centre, demonstrates our commitment to supporting our regional partners in providing security and stability.”
See the B52 is now adding cargo truck to its resume.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/the-b-52-bomber-is-now-also-a-cargo-hauler
Would have thought better the B52 arrive with belly full of JDAMs!! otherwise you need trail of c-5/17 bringing in munitions, they are better used to carry bulky support kit. bombs have hi weight /low space compared with engineering kit to service the ac.
The typhoon really is a wonderful plane. Love the look and the way it flys in the sky.
The B52 really is the ultimate long range bomb truck for permissive environments. Great to see the 2 together
yes indeed!
Good article. And explains why none of the Typhoon customers have gone for thrust vectoring. 👍
I would like to see two Typhoons escort the late Queen’s aircraft on its journey south to London tonight. It would be the RAF’s contribution to the Queen’s last week in the public eye.
We havent got enough – the handful that are deployed in support of NATO are stretching the RAF to keep them flying and the rest are mostly in bits waiting for the MoD to organise spare parts, or waiting for trained pilots
Who sez?
I think the RAF could muster 2 typhoons to fly escort. They have planes taking part in exercises today,
We must be in a sorry state if just two typhoons can’t be mustered to fly alongside the most notable human being this country has known since Churchill.
The conservative governments, over the last 12 years, have cut military spending so drastically that we are lucky we aren’t using Cessna aeroplanes as the RAF front line of our defence.
Totally agree, Her Majesty, was a great inspiration to the whole world. I, served under her Majesty and it was an honour.
Long May she rest in peace.
God Save the King
I suggest a trip to Coningsby, and you will see just how many Typhoons fly daily. Seeing 20 aircraft queuing to depart for the first morning wave of sorties is not uncommon. And many movements throughout the day. If you are lucky, you will catch the display Typhoon doing a practice display at 13:00, or catch a live QRA launch. It’s a very busy airfield. The sortie rate, and availability of the Typhoon fleet is very high. They are not in bits. And the C17 flying from Edinburgh to Northolt does not require an escort. But if it had been requested. The RAF could have provided any number required. 16 Typhoons took part in the Jubilee flypast.
Is she flying south from Edinburgh? I thought she would either be driving or going by royal train from Waverley.
Flying to RAF Northolt aboard a C17 which is already at EDI.
The RAF’s contribution is the plane used to fly her home
I know that Andy I just thought two wingmen would have made an impressive sight. As it turned out the sky was weeping so the spectacle would have been lost.
Just a pair of ASRAAMs ? Oh Dear 🙁
I’m not poo pooing ASRAAMs mind 🙂 just the lack of Meteor/AMRAAM.
And who do you think they might have to shoot down over the Eastern Med? These type of escort missions don’t mean they are armed escort missions, especially when flying over safe sky’s. Plus, this could be a stock photo, not one from the actual operation. As a side note, RAF Typhoons on QRA in the UK now only carry ASRAAM, because rules of engagement need a visual confirmation. And BVR shots wouldn’t be allowed.
Always. Good to cousins work together