A Typhoon fighter aircraft escorted United States Air Force B-1 Bombers on their transatlantic transit to RAF Fairford as part of the latest Bomber Task Force mission.
In a news release, the RAF say that the Typhoon aircraft from RAF Coningsby escorted the two B-1 Bombers as they approached UK airspace on the West Coast.
“The Bombers approached UK airspace as part of their pre-planned transatlantic flight to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. As well as escorting the United States Air Force Bombers inside the UK’s area of interest, flying with other NATO aircraft provided a key training opportunity for the Typhoon.Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate U.S commitment to the collective defence of NATO and contribute to stability in the European theatre. Strategic Bomber missions enhance the readiness necessary to respond to any potential crisis or challenge across the globe.
The planning and delivery of RAF support to Bomber Task Force enhances bilateral understanding of support to joint operations and multi-domain integration where opportunities for Maritime or Land support exists as part of the Bomber Task Force series of activity. The Bomber Task Force therefore presents the UK with an excellent opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relationship.”
Group Captain Peterson was quoted as saying:
“This Bomber Task Force mission further demonstrates the UK’s unwavering commitment to NATO and highlights the close relationship we enjoy with our U.S allies.”
Gen Harrigian, United States Air Force Europe Commander, was also quoted:
“Bomber Task Force missions amplify our coalition reach and project our collective power within the European and African theatres. By training and integrating with our allies and partners, we are expanding our ability to adapt to challenges and counter adversaries in the global security environment.”
All good messaging for our potential enemies and rivals to hear. B1B is still a great platform, and capable of supporting NATO members at short notice.
Scary things too, especially a whole formation of them. I had that privilege during the Serbian/Kosovo conflict when they departed from what I assume was Fairford. Probably 12 or so going overhead at once, magnificent sight, albeit sobering when you think what they were going to do.
The RAF were also very active round there at the time. Six Tornados flew over our footie game at low level – we all instinctively hit the deck!
I also used them a little in Afghanistan when some turned up to support CAS sorties. Really loud when down low for a SOF, and an almost inexhaustible bomb load for that environment.
How much lifetime do those B1s have left?
Being retired between 2025 and 2036.
The last time frame I saw reported was 2031-2033 but I wouldn’t be surprised if that is extended as it’s very possible that some developmental delays creep into the B-21 being operational timeline.
Multiple sources say 2036 but I’d imagine there will be few left by then, if any. With 45 in service once they start cutting them in 2025 it will soon become uneconomic and low hanging fruit to cut early.
17 were retired this year, reducing the active fleet from 62 to 45.
Ah, it’s nice to see the Typhoon’s stealth paint showing off how effective it can be. 😃
😂
A bit like an episode of Only Fools and Horses. The Typhoon was taking the photograph
They still look so modern… are all the yank bombers being replaced by the one new stealth bomber?
B1B and B2s are being replaced by the B21 in the late 20s and 30s. B52s will continue until 2050 it seems.
Thanks RobW. I wish the RAF still had bombers, but we are lucky we have fast jets at this rate.
They look a bit like over-sized and scaled up Hawker Hunters. Such beautiful and sleek aircraft
Julian, talking of the Hunter, and as an avid Google or Apple maps viewer I find some amazing things, including several Hawker Hunters parked at Point Magu Joint Air base in California. Just an FYI. They appear to be in painted the aggressor role.
James: When i lived in Key West (FL) several Hawker Hunters were used in aggressor role at NAS KW
A Pilot was killed in a Hunter at that base not so long ago. I’m trying to find The Hunters on Google earth you were on about but can’t find them!! Anyway Google earth is fascinating isn’t it, I could spend days looking at it!!
What would help you? latitude and long? or a more detailed description, I looked back on Apple Maps and found them, but not on Google, where I found them at a different location on Google, apparently they moved there during a resurfacing of the runways at Point Magu. Point Magu naval air station, Ventura County, California. Look for Magu Rd., inside the base, where it makes a sharp right hand turn, they are parked on the eastern edge along with a number of Orions and C130’s and 2 x Kfirs I think. Let me know if that’s sufficient and if… Read more »
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Naval%20Air%20Station%20Point%20Mugu,%20Oxnard,%20CA%20%2093033,%20United%20States&ll=34.113916,-119.104026&q=Marked%20Location&_ext=EiYpxD07hQELQUAxXk5kQTzKXcA5IAKz59cRQUBBkWSxqOPDXcBQDA%3D%3D
https://maps.apple.com/?address=Naval%20Air%20Station%20Point%20Mugu,%20Oxnard,%20CA%20%2093033,%20United%20States&ll=34.113916,-119.104026&q=Marked%20Location&_ext=EiYpxD07hQELQUAxXk5kQTzKXcA5IAKz59cRQUBBkWSxqOPDXcBQDA%3D%3D
lat: 34.113916 / long: -119.104026
OT.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/navy-submarine-south-china-sea-b1934478.html
A Chinese sub maybe? Or are they too loud.
That or a TEU – plenty of those floating around.silently
I had to look that up. They’d certainly be silent!
You would hope they would have heard them before bumping into them if Chinese sub
A crazy Ivan, with a Chinese twist.
likely some small dense object like a shipwreck or buoy.
This is a documentary worth watching and paints a very clear picture of the threat posed by China.
Sept 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA2KaEKs1LA
Was the B21 just named by taking B-2 and B-1 and smushing them together?
Hahaha… actually the reason is it’s the USAF 21st century bomber.
US is very unimaginative at naming things, the M3 Medium Tank, M3 Light Tank, M3 SPG, M3 Tank Destroyer, M3 half-track, M3 Scout Car… Pistols, Rifles, HMG, Grenade Launchers all use the M numbering as well and im sure there’s more…
You know the B-1 is the Lancer (but known to the crews and maintainers as the Bone) and the B-21 is the Raider (probably to be known as the Chuck Norris…just kidding;)
The B-21 is officially called “Raider” in honor of Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle’s April 1942 B-25 raid on Japan off of the deck of the USS Hornet
Nice to see that the LRASM is now operational on them as well.
That should cause a few headaches for some!
In theory, each B-1B can carry at least 24 LRASM. Imagine what a formation of these could to do an adversary’s surface fleet. Scary as hell.
To be fair, what is the point of large combat ships when much cheaper and numerous aircraft can actually carry more missiles?
Presence. Aircraft can’t provide the utility or dominate an area for weeks or months at a time the way ships can.
Those aircraft can RTB and return again with a full load of munitions and go for round two within hours. The warships will have to RTB which could be days/weeks away to restock.
How long do you think airplanes can keep that up for? Often times bombers like the B1 are flying from the continental US. But let’s say they are flying from in theater, keeping up a sortie rate that high and the logistics chain necessary to support something like that is enormous. Put a well equipped DDG in the area and you have the potential to influence the air, surface and subsurface.
Yeah but 2 B1s each with 24 LRASMs and that DDG is gone, likely without all of the missiles even being launched.
I think you’re simplifying this beyond reality. B1s or any similar aircraft don’t just fly to launch missiles. They need to be refueled, so we’re talking tanker support. They need fighter escorts, which means bunch or aircraft supporting them. They need to be able to find and track a target, which might be the most difficult. What happens when the opposing airforce doctrine focuses on killing tanker support so your bomber and it’s escort can’t reach close enough to fire those missiles?
You don’t have to keep it up for long if you’re fighting against a warship with 48 missiles, Two sorties worth of B1s and you’ve sunk that warship with ease.
And how often would you find a single warship alone in a war scenario?
In a peer-war, us or the US Navy would be operating carrier groups. Destroyers will detect them from several hundred miles away and F35s or Super Hornets scrambled to intercept them before theu get in LRASM range. Hornets or F35s armed with AMRAAMs or Meteors will shoot down those bombers with ease before they are close to firing range.
Not true. Range of LRASM is around 174nm, range of AN/SPY-1 is around 167nm, and range of the SAMPSON is around 216nm. So in the case of facing an American CSG, the Lancers would be able to release their missiles and turn around. While the Lancer(s) would, still, likely be lost, it would easily be within range to fire LRASM before the CSG was able to react, launch planes, get those planes within AMRAAM/Meteor range (30nm and 110nm respectively, but with a almost certain kill chance within 30nm for the Meteor). It would be very very difficult, for 2 Arleigh… Read more »
Why do we only send one aircraft to intercept? We used to send a pair cutbacks ?
“Key training opportunity”. Flew and chatted to USAF. Be counting elearning as flying hours next
I never saw the thyphoon!
B21 Ghost.
I think the name was put to a vote of some community of sorts.
So blame the voters😅
1 fighter? Couldn’t we muster up a pair?
Just shows how low our Typhoon numbers are. We should keep the tranche one’s for QRA.
Warts and occasional bumps apart, the USA are great allies and a reassuring presence in Britain. Are there still many USAF bases in the UK? When I was a nipper there was one near Ruislip where a school pal lived and my uncle who was with the American Red Cross, was based with the US Air Force in Kings Lynn Norfolk. They had a cottage in the beautiful village of Wells and had a kitchen stuffed with Yankee treats-fresh orange juice, toasted cheese sandwiches and bubble gum!! First taste of all three for me! Circa 1956 and there was still… Read more »
Morning geoff. 😊
Lakenheath.
Mildenhall.
Croughton.
Feltwell.
Menwith Hill.
Blenheim Crescent. ( Near Ruislip )
Alconbury.
Barford St John.
Daws Hill. ( Possibly now closed )
Fairford.
Molesworth.
Fairford.
Welford.
US personnel are also present in numbers at
Bude.
Digby
Wyton
and others…
No! You have not told me that one. Misty here, drizzle and miserable.
Just to add to that list D man you forgot probably one of the most important US bases of the Cold War era here in U.K. RAF Edzell in bonnie Scotland👍🏻 . I used to love going to the village as a wee lad looking for the golf balls on the drive down (the coms structures not the titlelist pro 1’s found in Tiger woods bag) 😄 it was shrouded in rumour and mystery thousands of US personnel worked there ,integrated with the locals very well. Sorry they had to go. Apparently it’s location was premier 101 due to the… Read more »
Hello Artist. My Friend in Jordanstown-his dad was in the RAF stationed on Tiree in the 1950’s. Daniele knew of this base-in fact I think went there or nearby-Daniele?
Howdy amigo Tiree you say? Every days a school day man , I wasn’t aware there was a base there. 👍🏻
🏴🇬🇧
? Not sure geoff. What base?
My info is like 65 years old Daniele. I just remembered my young pal saying his dad was in the RAF based on Tiree and for some reason the name stuck in my mind😄
Ok, having looked at what “”Tiree ” is…! Qinetiqs radar and missile range is on the Hebridees. Assume that’s the place you reference?
No mate. I didn’t forget. It’s not current and closed so I didn’t list it as geoff asked about current sites 😉
It had an “Elephant cage ” array along with the one at Chicksands / Bldg 602.
Chicksands is now the JITG and some other stuff and I think Edzells an industrial park???
Balado Bridge and Thurso were another Scots sites of interest.
Have you seen the “Secret Scotland ” website mate?
Ha ha yeah my mistake 🤨 current ! Too fast on the trigger I woz
aye Edzell is an industrial site or something who knows what secrets have been closed off underground there.
I’ve been to the secret bunker many years ago at that time it was still partially operational I think. I’m not sure to what extent the tour showed off everything but it was quite something not like you see on tv The blast doors were incredible 😳
👍🏻🏴🇬🇧
The Secret Bunker? You mean at Anstruther? It’s a museum.
Was one of our RSGs.
Fascinating, I didn’t know about that base, thanks. Shame there’s only one air base left in the whole of scotland now…
Hi Daniele! Wow-surely more US bases than those dedicated RAF only airfields in Britain!! Sorry to hear of your bad weather although I hear you are due an Indian Summer in the next few days? 22 degrees and windy here. In Northern Ireland in my youth the RAF operated out of Nutts Corner, a civil airport and had an admin only(no airfield) facility in Jordanstown next to where I lived. Don’t think they have any presence in NI now.
Cheers my friend
So I hear…and the mists gone and glorious blue skies here now.
The RAF presence has ended AFAIK, Aldergrove is now a JHC station.
I’ve not heard of Nutts Corner.
On the US sites, to be fair only 2 are active airbases, 3 are minor support sites, 2 are comms, 1 is space tracking, 1 a bomb store, 1 a stand by airbase for bombers, 1 is varied intell and Sigint, and 1, Molesworth, an intelligence fusion centre and some support functions, but they hold onto it for what is underneath it in my opinion.
Regards my friend.
Yanks will have more Air bases than us soon Enough.
Course not. We have around 20 in the UK alone. They were going to close Mildenhall themselves until recently.
You are correct mate on closing sites, I don’t like losing them either. Scotland should still have the 3, with the P8s and RCs at Kinloss and 2 Typhoon at Leuchars. At least the runways are still active. I’d also split the Coningsby wing with Leeming.
All costs money and needs personnel to man.
Hi Reaper. All your comments are of course valid. But there is also the impact on local economies when bases close. Primarily, the administrative civilian jobs are gone. There is also a very real effect on local retail – a bad result for all.
Isn’t Alconbury a housing estate now? My cousin bought one (oh the shame) so thought there was nothing of the airfield left.
I believe the S East part of the site, the admin area, is still USAF. Yes the airfield itself long gone. The Magic Mountain bunker is preserved by NH, just in case!
You forgotten Greenham Common, Daniele,🤭
No mate. It closed years ago. I was listing only open sites, as geoff asked. 😉😆
Looks more like an F-35 to me than a Typhoon
Do you work for RAF Luton by any chance my dear fellow?
Is this an up to date version of spot the Ball. I see no Typhoons
One Typhoon! The other one was at lunch!
How will the Brandon admin screw this up??