Four U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers touched down at Royal Air Force Fairford as part of Bomber Task Force Europe 25-2.
The deployment is aimed at enhancing NATOās deterrence posture amid heightened tensions with Russia, with the bombers having already conducted routine missions in collaboration with Finland, France, and Sweden.
Major General Joseph Campo, U.S. Air Forces in Europe ā Air Forces Africa Director of Operations, emphasised the strategic impact of the mission, stating, āBomber Task Force missions reinforce our ability to rapidly project combat power, demonstrating U.S. lethality and readiness in a dynamic security environment.ā
He added that these exercises are critical for maintaining a robust and flexible response against potential Russian aggression.
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Cangealose, commander of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, noted, āTraining with NATO allies strengthens our ability to operate as one team. These missions reinforce our partnerships and prepare us to deliver decisive capabilities whenever and wherever theyāre needed.ā
The ongoing training is designed to enhance interoperability among allied air forces and ensure that U.S. strategic assets remain optimally integrated into NATOās collective defence framework.
As the bombers continue their month-long deployment, they will participate in a series of joint exercises and training flights across Europe, demonstrating agility and global strike capabilities. This deployment underscores the U.S. commitment to deterring Russian aggression and maintaining a credible, rapid-response force in the region.
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I remember about 140 years ago when RR were proposing to upgrade their engines.
Are you sure they are here to wave a stick at Russia?
Indeed, more likely they are to remind us what we are going to miss….
Deter Russia? When trump is sucking up to Putin?
I agree with your comment. Why didn’t they do that when Biden was President? NATO should have sorted Russia out before the election. It’s obvious what is going to happen now – Trump will end the fighting, Ukraine will get nothing, Russia will keep all the land it has stolen and all sanctions will be lifted. In a couple of years time when Russia has rearmed they will come back to get the rest of Ukraine. UK should insist that Ukraine is allowed to join NATO and no sanctions are lifted until Russia gets out of all of Ukraine.
UK is ineffective, has like the 6th largest air force in Europe now. One of the smallest armies. Parking ships every year. Not in a position to demand anything.
Its so true and so embarrassing,,,lets change the war 4 a sec ,,imagine the Falklands war now ,2 empty aircraft carriers,,i can go on ,but im.English and proud to be so.,,if Poland, which has roughly half our population, can do wat they are doing ,,if the big players in Europe, spent like the Poles ,,especially the UK ,things would be different, we have no land base Patroit style defense, most of our missile defense is on our Navy ships , no ‘iron dome ‘ stuff 4 us ,its embarrassing
We have nukes.. Crap ones the yanks maintain but only a few need to work.
France & England should start a European version of NATO backed up with their nukes – then wait for the yanks to come begging for help with China.
We have nukes.. Crap ones the yanks maintain but only a few need to work.
France & England should start a European version of NATO backed up with their nukes – then wait for the yanks to come begging for help with China.
And the US gets the mining rights from Russia instead of Ukraine, with the EU losing out on anything to do with that. USA quickly loosing its status as a friend to Europe or even the UK.
Remember Britain had to bribe the US to join the allies as well as pay for the help via Lend Lease, which was only paid of in 2006.
Iām new on here. But as Iām half American, I feel I can express my dislike completely without bias. They are a load of kindergarten students. They are as bad as Russia. Believe everything they hear from anyone. Look at their childish TV programmes. Load of twaddle. To say I dislike them is putting it mildly. The Tango orange thing, is nothing but an ill educated prat. I never liked him and I hate him now. Heās a land grabbing mobster. Doesnāt even deserve to be in charge. And the stupidity of the people got him into power. Cant believe that there are so many red necks still around. His whole demeanour is sickening to watch. And as for sucking up to Pootin, is utterly deplorable. What an awful human being. Right Iāve said enough. Thank you for reading my diatribe.
Totally agree. Trump is nothing but a two faced, brown nose to putin. He blames Ukraine for starting the war, he needs a reality check, it’s all about what he can gain & from whom. He talks out of his a@@e & believes he can change the world, not for the better like his American audience believe. I thought they had better intelligence š¤. God help us all.
Totally agree šÆš
I couldn’t agree more. And then, hopefully I am wrong, could we be back 80 odd years??? against another tyrant. I said over 3 years ago that Putin would invade Ukraine when they started moving equipment into Belarus for ‘manoeuvres’ and look what happened.
It all started way before that by Ukraine. You don’t know nothing and just stupidly trying to endanger the world by laying out this “bro said” propaganda. Same as Starmer – he heard something on TikTok and believes it’s 100%. You and him and 99% of UK population didn’t even know where Ukraine was. Now – you suddenly “know” everything and make your judgement because it was on TikTok or something similar. Stop judging something you have no clue about.
Oh thank God, I was going down the line of comments and was starting to that that there was no longer anyone capable of researching for themselves. Still believing what the establishments tell them. HEY SHEEPLE your governments lie. Your mainstream media lie, Did you not learn ANYTHING from the covid pandemic? Ineos, I hope there are more of us but seems still so many lost and brainwashed may still lead us to Armageddon.
šÆ% facts
You know nothing. U.K know more about Ukraine than you’ll ever know. We are an intelligent country. We have provided our knowledge with the world about politics etc, you’d never understand. Go back to sleep now š“
I love it that you think Keith uses TikTok! š¤£ And we’ve known for decades where Ukraine was because of Chernobyl and Shakhtar Donetsk!
Colin, it appears you know very little about military strategy. You are just regurgitating what the bias main stream media says. Russia allowed The Russian speaking Ukrainians the right of self determination and they voted overwhelmingly to be part of the Russian federation. So they did not steal the land as you suggested.
And the last time Russians had an honest, democratic election was……?
You did get one thing right. Putins military strategy was to invade Ukraine whether they liked it or not. And biased mainstream media? I assume by that you refer to the western free press. I can only hope that most Russians are intelligent enough to realise that the drivel they are drip fed on a daily basis originates from the mouth of the hyena that controls every aspect of their lives. Just saying…..
The elections and tech were more honest than in the most of the democratic world. You just wasn’t there to check it yourself, ok? It’s just your TikTok/BBC victim speaks inside of you.
Same excuse Hitler used in the 1930s are you really that dumb? Or are you just one of the many Russian backed apologists trying to misdirect and obscure the truth?
You don’t get to settle in a SOVEREIGN country, then just VOTE to make that chunk of your new country become a part of THE OTHER COUNTRY you emigrated from, otherwise evey single majority immigrant population in any country could just claim that for their patch of land !
Let’s see one example: there are MANY Mexican immigrants in parts of the 4 border states of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, so could they use YOUR ARGUMENT and just say “Hey, we don’t like being ruled by USA, we want to be a part of Mexico”? Do you think that Mexico would the have the right to invade and take BACK big chunks of occupied land in the southern parts of those 4 states (land which IT DID USE TO OWN at one time, btw!)? Is that what you think, Linda? And leave aside the logistics and military possibility of a smaller country like Mexico invading the militarily monstrous U.S., imagine the USA was a mild and toothless stretch of land like Greenland is. (Which Trump just said he wants to just take WITH NO Putin pretext of any American emigrĆ©s living there who want US rule, but he DID just invent the insane lie that ta majority of Greenlanders DO WANT to be ruled by him and his minions!)
Well, what about that, Linda?
Totally agree
All this is a distraction. Complain about Russia, while there is an ongoing genocide of Palestinians so that Israel can take more land, they didn’t stop in Lebanon they went to grab land in Syria as well. How do you call that?
I call it the same thing, and the same with Trump’s deranged ‘plan’ to colonise Gaza. Pure fucking evil.
Trump should be at home dealing with his disaster of a country
He has Mudk to screw Americans (so he can blame him when it goes to poo), he prefers pretending to be a statesman by pushing other leaders around thereās less comeback likely from MAGA.
I doubt they are here to deter Russia. Trump has already spoken to Putin and things are moving forward. Hopefully the idiots in the EU and that fool we have as a PM don’t get involved. They had 3 years and did nothing. Those American planes have been in and out for years and will continue to come and go until the world ends. It was only a few weeks ago that some left and apparently never to be seen again. Whoever wrote that was wrong. And in the end, has Russia attacked the UK? Nope have they attacked Europe? Nope in fact Ukraine from what the news states is empowering the Russians and North Korea man easily. The threat to my country the UK is not Russia, never has been never will be. Is Islam and that’s already been shown with the attacks throughout Europe and the UK. And that will get a lot worse.
Well spoken and as for Starmerarse heās jumping up and down with excitement hoping to have a war as the same with Blairā¦Both should be in prisonā¦
This Islamuslim is going to get worse as you said because these peasants are spreading themselves all over the Weston world. Iām on the Isle of Wight , no jobs.. but they are here and just had an influx of Indian youngsters..btw I HATE LABOUR SO MUCH RIGHT NOWā¦.
More likely to threaten Ukraine into accepting Russian annexation of their land and giving up whatever wealth they have left to Trump.
Exactly . trump’s arrogance leaves me speechless .
How does he have the audacity to broker a peace deal with that murdering despot putin without President Zelenski being there? Was Trump’s land invaded. Does trump even understand that it was russia which illegally invaded Ukraine to steal more land and wealth than it had already stolen?
I guess trump wants to turn the US into his empire
If you didn’t know… Zelenskiy is a TV comedian. Just Google his name.
I don’t have to Google it myself as I now him from my childhood.
Phil, 8 years! In 8 years normal people should be able to figure out that old Donnie is a mobster. Mobs really are intent to take over others turf. Greenland, Canada, Ukraine, Gaza are a turf fight by the Mob to extract profits. Our Orange hero is the most wonderful criminal ever. He says recently :’ US is respected again. ‘. Interpret as – – America does what ever US wants and dare anyone to do something about it. US refers that they are in a Golden Age/ Manifest Destiny , ( of conquests and colonialism). And this is what USA really is— imposing their will on every one, anyone. Like it or not.
I don’t get it… deter? How many bombers does Trump need to surrender?
Rob, maybe for old Donnie to grab Greenland.
With the orange clown busy kissing Putin’s butt, alienating all his allies, and selling Ukraine down the river maybe it’s about time we grew a pair and told the Yanks to piss off home! For those who think there’s a “special relationship” of some description stop dreaming, it’s only ever been a thing when it suited the US….
You ate right. After the second ww when we helped us to produce the atomic bomb they would not give us some critical details so we could produce bombs of our own. They forced us to spend 2 years working out the details we did no know. This is not the act of a country with a special relationship equally well they have been late in letting us have missiles for our subs and supplying the latest vertical take off planes for our carriers which are underequipped as a result. The uk needs to start producing it own weapons and remove its dependence on the US.
Thank you. My sentiments exactly. Why do we have to tolerate the US. I’d like to stop buying American stuff, but most if it is cheap tat made in China, Bangladesh, the Philippines and anywhere elsewhere slave labour is used.
Whoever trusts Trump is not wise at all.
Special relationship is code for the UK being the suck up sickening lapdogs of the US Narcissists. Trump is the most dangerous narcissist the world has known like his Russian narcissist in chief Putin. They are going to kill millions of innocent people just because like their mate Netanyahu they can with imputiny
I’m coming around to this way of thinking.
They can’t have their cake and eat it. Kick them out of all bases in Europe; let them see what Trump’s attitude will cost them.
At the same time, we could start investing in our own defence, purchase another 40 or so Typhoons and base them in Lakenheath, which would return to RAF usage.
Iāll take things that wonāt happen for 500 Alex. Even if it did the Pentagon would cry while the average American would say either āI donāt careā, or āfinally free at lastā.
This is true, thereās no need for teddies out of the pram yet as Trump is clearly a fragile and vindictive SOB, and to spit in his face is just asking for unnecessary hassle, probably along the lines of him openly saying to Putin to do what he likes in Europe.
The best bet is for Europeans to continue to suck up to Trump for now while making serious preparations to beef up its own defence and decouple critical weapons dependence from the US. Make friendly noises while steadily backing away.
Events should seriously have the major Europeans realising that they need to start ordering stuff now, and then resolve to work together on key future weapons systems and avoid the kind of bickering that has scuppered so many previous projects (easier said than done but more vital than ever). On a whim Trump could halt deliveries of systems, components etc, even just as leverage for economic deals that would shaft us. A US president who even thinks itās ok to talk about annexing Canada and seizing Greenland from Denmark (not to mention employ ethnic cleansing in Gaza to redevelop it into some kind of holiday resort!) is not someone you want to trust as the backstop of your defence.
I am Canadian and so pissed off with that idiot. Small beans I know but I have cancelled any connections with the US. Yes we have not been diligent with our military but if he thinks he can come waltzing into Canada he will discover what we can do, as we did in WW2. I agree with Bonzo, make nice while preparing to disengage and form stronger links with the UK and Europe.
I’m just saying: if they want to go solo then they should go all the way; pull all their bases out of Europe, and be prepared to lose foreign military sales to Europe.
They shouldn’t have their cake and eat it, too.
Donāt suck up to us because you arenāt getting anything in return. Your country is a failed state, you canāt fight crime, your borders have been overrun, youāre useless in a real fight, and pretty soon you will be slapped with sanctions that will strip that stupid welfare state you run of every last dime. Just like another failed state, Canada.
Trump already has told Putin to do what he likes in Europe several weeks ago. Just donāt get the US involved.
Can’t believe some of the ridiculous comments on here and me thinking this was a defence journal site. Anyway don’t worry Gentleman, you guys have Starmer now to take care of the situation. Good Luck with that.
Quite…
Not sure what it has to do with the UKs PM. The comments are simply pointing out that the US are hardly deterring Russia whilst handing over 20% of Ukraine to Russia and most likely setting itself plenty of good business deals with Russia and helping itself to what it wants from Ukraine.
Exactly . trump’s arrogance leaves me speechless .
How does he have the audacity to broker a peace deal with that murdering despot putin without President Zelenski being there? Was Trump’s land invaded. Does trump even understand that it was russia which illegally invaded Ukraine to steal more land and wealth than it had already stolen?
I guess trump wants to turn the US into his empire
Starmer may be boring AF and a managerial ‘continuity’ leader, but the idea that he’s somehow a threat to British national security, culture or way of life is laughable and evidently untrue. The only people who make such statements are Russian trolls, far-right ignorant blow hards like Musk and Farage, and their online legions of idiot followers whose thoughts and identity are indistinguishable from the Instagram and Twitter memes they consume.
Starmer is completely useless. The last thing we should be doing is sending UK troops, aircraft and weapons to Ukrainian border that Starmers government is suggesting for ‘peace keeping’. Do you know how resource heavy that will be and a complete waste of time, effort and money? The UK defence budget has been dwindling ever since the Cold War died down around 1990. Since then the UK armed forces have drastically and unreleasitically fallen by the wayside. The only correct and right albeit sensible thing to do would be to join the Americans way of thinking and get the hell away from Ukraine and let rest of Europe deal with the mess. The Americans are one of the strongest global powers in the World and everyone knows that there is no denying their military might. Otherwise UK will lose a losing battle by ‘peace keeping’ .. we aren’t even in the EU anymore so why on earth should we be sending troops to back up the useless French, and Dutch.. I mean Germany and Poland aren’t even volunteering to get their militaries involved. It’s all messed up and my ballot is going to Reform along with anyone with any sense of understanding or IQ.
Why reform? What happened to compassion and looking out for the underdog. Would Reform be tough on Russia?
Reform is the only political party left with policies which align with my values, thoughts and ways of being. I have been a lifelong Tory voter and Conservative through and through. However unfortunately the Conservatives have swung the other way in more recent years and bended over backwards on policies such as immigration and furlough which helped ruin the economy. If a decent Conservative government was reelected such as proper Conservatism such as Truss for example then I would vote blue again and keep that tradition up. However my concerns with wet lefty socialist Conservatism has made me re think my agenda and I’m keen on what Farage has to offer in the name of the Reform party. The biggest issue we gave in the UK in 2025 is the uncontrolled immigration which we all know is terrible for our country and we need to be lowering taxes, not raising them. Spending on UK armed forces should have been kept up, not dwindling since we left the Cold War to a state where we spend more on the money out disastrous NHS and social services system than anything else. The country is in a mess and we should be following Americas lead with pulling as far away from Ukraine as possible.
Then you are the enemy within.
If you are in favour of UK joining forces with the EU to peacekeep against Russia then you’re off your rocker, laughing stock even. Just look at places where that has happened in the past namely South Korea .. the US have been peacekeeping there for yonks (over 60 years) with the amount of aircraft and expenditure needed just to keep North Korea at bay. I’m sorry to say but nothing good is going to come of us peace keeping in Ukraine border and it will be a complete waste of resources, time and expense.
The Germans have an election next week the last thing the gov are going to do is throw that into the mix for now as no doubt the Putin sympathising (and possibly assisted) AFD would exploit and scaremonger about it.
So, Reform. Led by another man who admires Putin.
No thank you.
I agree. Farage’s and his political PLC party, Reform UK, demonises immigrants and Muslims as a group but happily appeases Putin and his unprovoked invasion. This is what the Hard Right looks like in the our countr: hates outsiders but loves authoritarians, like Trump/Putin. (Though it is funny that how sympathetic both Farage and Stalinists/Tankies are to Putin and his war).
So, to my mind, I think these pro-Putin groupings are by far the biggest ACTUAL threat to the UK: 10-15% of the UK population are pro-Putin 5th columnists but only 6% of the UK is muslim.
One of these numbers is far more significant, especially if Farage becomes PM after the next election and undermines our defence from within.
1. As per the latest Census (2021), Muslims make up only 6% of the UK population.
2. The percentage of the UK who think that Trump is good for this country is 15%, one of the lowest in the world. c.10% of the UK think that Ukraine is equally or wholly response for Russian’s invasion.
And you think of yourself as clever? lol
The government you supported over the past 2 decades got you where you are… Go educate yourself
I canāt believe some of the ridiculous stunts Trump has pulled and heās barely been in the job a month.
He have threatened most of his allies in some shape or form and is now seemingly about to help Russia keep the parts of Ukraine it has aggressively seized. Christ knows where Mudks data plundering and interference will land US society. If anything the comments here are too mild.
The USA should be arresting Putin, not massaging his ego & selling thier allies out to him.
Apart from Guam and Fairford, where else do the US normally deploy B52ās outside of continental America
They were in Romania last yearā¦..
But regular bases? No idea
Spain at Rota !
Trump sending mixed messages ?
Possibly a case of letting the Russians know that they need to play along with Trump. Considering today is the day that they met in Saudi, I’d say this has a bit of ying and yang here with the talks going on while these are arriving in the UK.
The war does need to end, there are some very different attitudes between the US and Europe, let alone within NATO itself. It’s likely that Trump and his advisors have determined that Ukraine has crossed an event horizon in this war and turning the tables back now, is pretty unlikely. So you either keep shovelling money into a war that isn’t winnable or you seek peace. Peace in Ukraine would then allow the US to focus in on it’s main strategic foe in China.
I don’t agree with the US sailing Ukraine down the river, or the public rhetoric from the new administration, I can understand why he’s doing it from there perspective. It’s about time that E NATO did more for their defence including us in the UK. Maybe this is all some sort of 5d chess move from Trump to get us to do that and from what we’re seeing so far, it may well be working.
Could be 5D chess, could be Trumo doesn’t care about allies… I wonder….
Exchanged views with Daniele last night and I thought is was laughable that Starmer had proposed British troops on the ground in Ukraine – Pootin would never accept NATO forces even nearer his border – and today we heard?
America needs kicking out of NATO if Trump persists with this nonsense and Europe – including Britain is 500,000 in populace – need to step up and support Ukraine, unconditionally, and tell both the US and Russia to Foxtrot Oscar; however, that comes at the price of paying for it but Europe is now the fourth power block and needs to assume that mantle of power and influence.
Some Youtube the other night about Incapacity Ben and we spaff Ā£40Bn on people who have been coached to utter certain sentences to gain the highest amounts possible, meanwhile, UC officers are there to help and understand people who have been unemployed for X months – try living on benefits for a month, anyone on it long term needs taking to the cleaners courtesy of the fraud team, PIP is a disgrace – so much money in benefits spent on British scroungers – upwards of a Ā£100 million; you need money for Defence? I have a plan.
People who apply for PIP have to undergo a series of questions and medical tests with medical history to back up their claim, there is then a final consultation before any award is made, PIP levels vary upon the severity of the Illness. Their are many genuine claimers who rely on this to live a meagre existence, who would much prefer to be in good health. I read your comments and despair.
Exactly this. Getting PIP isn’t a case of ticking a box and getting free money.
Absolutely, DB has tarred everyone who claims PIP with the same brush, It’s a horrible place to be when you are incapable of work due to some horrendous injury/disablement or other serious health issue. This sort of Ignorance only adds to their suffering, Some people put pride before claiming benefits due to feeling like a “British Scrounger” and that’s just not right.
Seconded.
Agree, not to say that there arenāt chancers but tarring all with that label is blinkered.
Tony Abbott on Sophy Ridge: Britain should be prepared to lead Europe, paraphrase, forget America. I don’t have a problem with that.
Missing from any conversation is that remainerNATO countries would bring significant AA capabilities as well as AF strike and interdiction, let the Poles provide the tanks and Inf – Poles will generally be happy killing Russians if given the opportunity as well as the Baltic States, who have a have debt or 1000s plus to settle with the Russians.
So all the ‘experts’ concentrate on boots on the ground when in fact, remainer NATO overmatches Russia in airpower, naval power, and land combat power.
Once more, Europe should tell Pootin and Trump to go take a hike.
NATO without the US don’t overmatch Russia on nuclear. Between UK and the French we have hopefully enough punch to deter a nuclear attack or nuclear blackmail. Unfortunately we are entirely reliant on the US based pool of trident missiles. That’s a very critical dependency to have when I would very much like to tell the US to go do one.
Hear hear, I totally agree. Letās not forget that every war so far since World War Two that the Americans have started has led to America running away with their tails between their legs. Also if the rest of Europe/NATO said no to Irak then the Americans would have been up shit creak without a paddle. Trump without Europe is fucked. Whatever happens understand this Trump is in it for himself not the American people, I mean for fucks sake he wants, yes āHe wantsā to buy Iceland he wants to buy Gaza, not forgetting Mexico he is kind of shooting off his foot there š¤£ send all the illegal Mexican immigrants back oh I want to take it over and call it the Gulf of America š¤š«£š« total dick head
Are you truly this delusional? Really āAmerica ran awayā? We left those countries after we were either bored or they were smoking ruins usually both. Stop confusing someone who merely stops beating the other party like a redheaded step-child for winning.
On a different we did not need you in Iraq, your contribution was marginal at best see Basra. For ease of operations America would have been better served by calling up the Reserves and mobilizing the Guard than accept the rules of engagement that were forced on us by our so called allies.
You left then when you got bored?
So US foreign policy is that of a toddler? Leave once you get bored? What a ridiculous notion! This is why the rest of the world sees the US as unreliable.
All nations based on sea power get bored and leave.
Did he say he was buying Gaza? From who?
I thought he was proposing just to take itā¦..
Mind you, heās so incoherent he probably said both!
If it wasn’t for needing US stocks of trident, which we need now more than ever, I’d be all for telling the US they are no longer welcome here.
I think we should join with France to produce a common SLBM for our subs, instead of Trident.
Iām interested if it would be possible to physically retrofit the current French slbm into the next gen of our subs. They are slightly shorter than trident but a couple of inches greater diameter unlikely
No idea what the dimensions of their new design will be. If we shared dev cost and had our own production and loading then even a future breakdown with the French wouldnāt matter.
Yeah itās prob not as good as Trident but the way things are going it should at least be explored
Interesting?
Lots of new names appearing on this thread who I don’t see posting on the usual mundane British military matters articles?
More “political warfare operatives” trying to cause discord?
Paranoid much?! No, in my case just someone roused to have a say for the first time, given the exceptional circumstances. The world seems to have changed a lot in the past week, and the comfortable certainties we’ve enjoyed all our lives are being torn away. The fact that it’s been coming for a while doesn’t make it any less unpalatable.
In addition, my reticence to take part in defence discussions online comes from the fact that a lot of the noise is made by xenophobic far-right pillocks who think the EU is a communist plot, equality is a dirty word, welfare spending a pointless waste, and immigration some sort of secret backdoor invasion. The number of people on here who wang on about ‘military-age males’ and a supposed Islamist takeover is ludicrous. These people must be frightened of their own shadows. More worryingly, a lot of them are admirers of Putin and frankly sympathetic to his disgusting and shameful politics – see Farage et al, and all those taken in by him. They would also be perfectly happy for this great nation of ours to become Trump’s bitch, rather than assume our rightful responsibilities as a major regional power and one of the continent’s leaders. Interestingly, the same pillocks are always implacably imposed to the tax rises that are undoubtedly essential to pay for proper defences (See Mr Right above). I guess my feeling is that if we continue to leave these discussions to such people, then the rest of us are simply ceding the field. Defence and the forces in general have enough problems with the perception of their being tainted by an association with far-right, reactionary elements as it is. Patriotism the same. The nation and its armed forces belong to all of us, not just white Englishmen like myself, and not just the right-wing, and we all have a stake in where this is going.
Lol you won’t have any stake without US backing. Sorry to say but the US runs NATO. Without US backing in Ukraine no country will have the military power to with old against Putin and why should the UK which has left the EU btw have anything to do with sending our troops, military gear and resources to a peace keeping operation, without the backing of the US. The US are our greatest allies and this stems back to WW2. I don’t care what you say about right wing politics, the UK economy is in recession, the spending on the armed forces is abysmal and has been for years cutting back year on year. The last thing this country needs to do is spend military aid in Ukraine it’s just ludicrous. And don’t you say you’re a useless Labour supporter.. tbh I could smell it a mile off. People like you are woke or even beyond woke as the latest Telegraph article suggests. Unfortunately without the US it is completely pointless for UK to step up with Starmer at the helm it will be like the Titanic and the only way is down. Dear oh dear. No wonder Germany through a fit when they were asked to provide military support in this peace keeping effort, and so did Poland. It will be the UK and god knows who else.. maybe the French but they’re useless just look at the French border force and back in history they are wimps themselves and the Dutch have a tiny insignificant military. Sorry to say you’re on planet zog.
There you go again, always talking Britain down. Grow a spine, man!
Well it is going down with Starmer.. what has he bought to the country worthwhile?? Absolutely zilch and further provides zilch. He is ruining this country and it will get even worse. Watch this space.
Well at least he’s not a Putin stooge, and he can’t do worse than the last lot!
Morning Matt.
No, I’m not. People pretending to ve something they’re not is a constant here for many years.
Especially when Russia, Ukraine, and politics rear its head.
Most posts on this thread have zero to do with the article, but the usual left, right battle.
I’m sick of it.
FYI. I quite like some of what Farage says myself, and I have “left wing” views mixed in as well.
So I guess I’m another xenophobic far right pillock….though actually, I’m not.
Easy to throw things around on a public forum.
What’s your view on B52s!
I think they’re bloody incredible, and perhaps on the way to becoming the first combat aircraft with a 100-year operational career. Seeing them fly over is like the bit in the first Jurassic Park when Sam Neill sees the dinosaurs for the first time! Proof that good, adaptable design and engineering can last a lifetime and remain relevant. As for their regular deployments to Fairford, they’re not something I ever questioned the rightfulness of until this week, as I always felt they were there for my benefit, too. Now I’m not so sure, and that’s an uncomfortable feeling.
Agree on the planes.
I’ve no issues with their occasional deployment here, as the US military remains.
If Trump pulls out,they can sod off. Considering the US Intell locations in Europe, and here, I find it hard to believe it will come to that.
Welcome to the forum.
As a somebody who knows zero about military matters I am 100%certain this post was created by chatgpt or similar.
Which one??
Another new commenter here. I’ve casually followed UKDF articles for years, but I prefer to keep abreast of what’s going on, rather than coming on here to tell everybody else that they have it all wrong.
First thing. Who conflates participation within NATO and within the EU as the same thing? Mr. Right, apparently! Fair play to him though, he can write comments to a higher standard than most of his ilk, but unfortunately, the logic and conclusions contained within are as flawed as ever. Some historical references are way off. As wonderful as it is to engage in a bit of French-bashing, it’s breathtakingly daft to say that they’ve always been useless. Read some history man.
If the political will is there (and yes, that’s a big if), properly coordinated efforts by European nations is more than enough to end this conflict definitively. Sadly, doubters will probably lead us down a road of appeasement before we eventually decide to ‘correct’ what will have become a steonger Russia.
One silver lining though, when we do end up in major wars that threaten our very existence, public sentiment gives government the support to decisively deal with those that act against the interests of our country. I don’t think that hiding behind IP blockers and VPN’s will work for the likes of Mr. Right.
Hi, Neil. š
French on the front line were useless in WW2 lol talk about history and you know absolutely nothing by sounds of it! Sorry mate anything without US backing and you’ve had it. People who think otherwise aren’t living in the real world. Most of NATO military power is from the USA. Even with all of EuropeB militaries combined effort or won’t be enough to fend off Russia but the point is not many countries in Europe want to partake.. Germany have refused, PolBd have refused so that leaves the French and the Dutch. If US pulls out that is a distinct message to follow their lead, it’s ludicrous to think otherwise. This country has enough problems of it’s own without sending our troops on a peace keeping mission along Ukraine border… And for how long? Funny that it will be mostly British forces and a tiny percentage the other nations even though as I said before, we’ve left the EU so should have nothing to do with helping an EU national army.
Yawn. I don’t think you’ve ever read a book on history. The French did conquer most of Europe in the early nineteenth century, you know. The majority of the fighting and sacrifice on the Western Front in WW1 was borne by them, not us. And they were willing to fight brutal and bloody wars to try and hang on to their colonial empire in the 1950s and 60s, when Britain (rightfully, in my opinion) largely let ours go without a fight. Their forces have been heavily engaged in northern and central Africa for decades, and have rather more recent combat experience than ours do. In the Second World War they were let down not by cowardice, but by deep social and political divisions resulting from a decade or more of political instability. Indeed, then – as now – a sector of the French population had far-right and antisemitic sympathies and were probably not unhappy to see the Nazis take over, and a puppet regime imposed, if it meant their political enemies were squashed and sent to concentration camps.
The European nations (obviously including ourselves, for those unable to read a map) are economically vastly stronger than Russia, and probably militarily too (even now), but our forces need renewal and the continent needs leading. If the Americans want out, fine. Its a shame, and they may come to regret it eventually, but an unreliable and bullying ally is no ally at all. We can be a worthwhile and capable country even without the Americans, you know. Hitching our cart to a horse with rabies will do us no good, and America is increasingly so divided that I could see them descending into another civil war in the next decade or two, may God have mercy. I donāt want to see British troops propping up a shameful peace in Ukraine. I want to see Ukraine properly supported to win its own war, while Britain and the other European nations gird their loins for the confrontations to come. As for your assertion that it would be ‘mostly British forces’, for goodness’ sake stop believing what you read in the Telegraph. And regarding your constant fear of an EU army, the veto power wielded by individual member states (including us, before we cast ourselves out) will probably mitigate against the EU being the primary vehicle for any wider European military force. That, and the fact that a number of the smaller countries are either ‘neutral’ (Ireland, Austria) or so subverted by far-right forces that they are effectively on the side of the Russians (Hungary and Slovakia). NATO is probably dead in the water, so there will need to be a new European security architecture, a coalition of the willing, to defend the continent in future.
And I strongly agree with Neil: most Brits – of whatever colour or background – are profound but quiet patriots at heart, especially those who don’t wrap themselves in the flag and wang on about foreigners and migrants. I have faith they would rise to the occasion and give the country what it needs if only the government could be straight with them. And we need to make it clear to the Reform mob that they are doing Russia’s bidding, whether intentionally or not, and that treason is never forgivable.
French military has always been weak and cowardice. The main crux was WW2 whereby they surrender, yes surrender to Nazi Germany. That will never be forgiven. I’m afraid France has a poor military, rubbish army, weak air force and useless tactics. You’re on planet zog as I said. Yes geographically we are in Europe but that is as far as it goes, we are not in the EU anymore so we technically should not have to deal with EU issues such as this. And you didn’t answer my question, if UK does do peace keeping along Ukraine border.. how long will that be for? 10 years.. 20 years? 50 years? Indefinitely I think you’ll find. You just don’t have a clue do you.. it’s worrying and that’s why they call people like you woke, you can’t tell your left from your right.
Most armies that went up against the Germans in 1939/1940 got a good beating including the BEF.
It took a while to adapt and counter their tactics and weapons.
What a load of crap the yanks killed and wounded nearly as many of there own and our troops as they did the enemy the French were very brave fighters .
How could you say such a thing?
It would be paranoid to suggest that St Pb, Kyiv and Peking are in a post off on hereā¦..
āTo deter Russiaā
While their commander in chief appears to be encouraging Russia!
Who says Americans canāt do irony?
It needs a Winston to propose a solution.
Kiss principle will fix.
Isaacs Newton’s laws of motion tell all.
Apply Isaacs laws of motion with an ounce of Winstonien
Foresight.
The KISS system is recommended.
Putin and that sad donkey of a foreign minister need to be careful. OrangeBoy is a big baby who has had in his mind a plan. A genius plan that plays out exactly as he wants. This for example includes NATO peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. Now sad donkey has said hell no. If Russia keeps saying hell no then OrangeBoy will throw toys out of pram and may well u-turn on this weird Putin admiration stance.
‘sad donkey of a foreign minister’
š He is a bit a lugubrious-looking character, isn’t he?!
I see this as a similar scenario when, in WWII, the Allies led by Great Britain armed with Brewster Buffalos and Harvards were up against Japanese Zeros and a more modern army in Malaya and Singapore in 1941. Fast forward 84+ years – what good are these antiquated forms of weapons delivery against Russian hypersonic weaponry and cheaper drones?
It wasn’t that more modern. Singapore was lost through stupidity and pisspoor command, not because of any technical inferiority. As for Russian hypersonic weapons, they don’t seem to be all that good, to judge from the news reports. Britain and the rest of Europe could make a gazillion drones if it becomes necessary. I’m sure the boffins are hard at work even now…
Russian hypersonic missiles are fantastic at hitting apartment buildings and children’s hospitals. Not much else though.
Hypersonic missiles are not the be all and end all of weapons, otherwise UKR would have been overrun by now. I don’t believe Russia has many hypersonics despite what they say.
Hypersonic missiles are very overhyped.
Ukraine managed to intercept several with Patriot (and similar) missiles.
Even those that weren’t intercepted, they’re useless against a target with any level of mobility. They’re great at taking out children’s hospitals, maternity wards and apartment buildings, but not much else.
With Trump you never know if they’ll bomb our enemies or ourselves.
I could see him dismantling free elections, holding onto power (or paving they way for his successor to-) & becoming the American Fuhrer for life. Or the USA could slide into civil war. When our main ally attacks you(Tariffs, lies & unfounded accusations straight from the Putin/USSR/Goebals playbook, sucking up to Putin & selling out UKR, suggesting making Canada & Greenland part of the USA, looking for greedy big-US business deals to plunder UKR etc), you really do have to buck up & stop feeding the monster. He’s already at ork dismantling areas of US administration & judicery where he thinks they’re against him.
Russian hybrid warfare is extremely effective. It got Britain out of the EU, it installed the puppet Trump in the US, it is fueling Farage, AFD, Le Pen and other enemies of Freedom.
And what are we all doing against it? Nothing.
Orwell was right in 1984 – Britain = Airstrip One
How come we’re leaving the enemy land in Britain
How can here take lead in the talks and tell Britain that the got to send peacekeepers over what about him sending troops over we do all the drity work and they take all the glory
When I moved to Cambs some 30+years ago the skies were full of military aircraft, a huge percentage of them USAAF. We enjoyed having USAAF personnel in our midst and flocked to their bases when they treated us to airshows and held amazing days to entertain disabled groups from East Anglia. They were our friends and allies and an entire area of St. Ives,Cambs had street names named after American States. In common with many others I have close family members in the USA and have had several memorable visits to that amazing Country and cannot imagine any hostility ever arising between our Countries.
I know what you mean. I lived in Cambridge for ten years and the famous Eagle pub is a shrine to the American airman who drank there during the war, burning their names and units into the ceiling with lighters and candles. There’s a huge cemetery of American war dead at Madingley, just outside the city, 4000-odd graves, I think. It’s a beautiful and very moving place. Also, the American Air Museum at Duxford is spectacular, one of the best I’ve ever been to. A rupture with the US just feels unnatural, almost like a bereavement.
You don’t know what you mean, earlier you were saying about how Britain shouldn’t rely on US and bend over backwards for them .. it’s a special relationship between the UK and USA and your nativity speaks volumes, alongside your general lack of understanding. Who cares you lived in Cambridge for ten years it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with anything. You’re just a misinformed left wing faggot.
Are you sure they are here for that and not to take over our country when they in vade Canada trump is end the N.Tthe President of the USA he is supporting Putin just best mate and wishes to end NATO agreement.
It now stands for North America Takes Off. The only reason the USA bothers with us is because we are the biggest unsinkable aircraft carrier they have USS Great Britain.When are we going to stop being their lap dog and have stronger ties with Europe
They planned to invade Canada at the start of the second world war to destabilise the British Commonwealth. Then refused at one point to give us a loan because of us forming the N.HS because they said we were going communist. They also charged us heaven and earth in payments back from our war loan and would not have fought in the war if it was not for Pearl Harbour
If Trump is mad enough to invade Canada we must be armed and ready to defend our country,have our troops at a high state of readiness to enter the American Airfields and commandeer their aircraft and facilities and remove the facility and allow America transports to land and take them back home. I hope this will never happen
History of events aways repeat themselves only the time,the countries at war change
Jesus you need to open your eyes. Your comment is completely out of this world, nasty in fact. I think you’ll find that the US did a great deal to help us gain peace and freedom in the WWII. What you said is truly sickening and just straight up naive and ignorant. So much so I can’t bear to read anymore. I’m biting Reform and I can’t wait for Nigel Farage to step in to save us from this ongoing misery and corruption under Starmer. It’s completely and utterly bonkers his way of thinking and yours alike.
Jog on then.
Never wanted your comment, bell end.
For Trump and Putin please remember Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler, and Chamberlain waving a piece of paper saying peace in our time
Deter Russia my ass. US is a disgrace and no longer an ally. They in the process of creating a modern Ribbentrop-Molotov pact to carve up Ukraine; land for Russia, resources for Musks batteries – I mean America cough cough.
We have to stop the āpeaceā talks quickly – only way to do that is for Britain and France to lease nukes to Ukraine prior to deploying a peacekeeping force. The nukes to be removed upon entry to NATO, unconditional security guarantees from the US, and seats at the table for a real peace plan put forward by Ukraine and European Allies
The US have sold out one ally and sidelined the rest, NATO as it was is over. Itās time now to create a new NATO comprising those countries that are not in bed with Russia. Create a European Army with British and French nuclear deterrent at its core all the while a desperate re-armament programme across Europe with all countries maintaining a minimum of 100,000 personnel in a regular Army. Use wherever possible the same equipment or equipment designed and built in Europe. A next generation of WMD (land based) to be developed and deployed to deter Russia and protect all of Europe.
Lease nukes to Ukraine. What nukes would you lease to them?
Deploying a peace keeping force? With what, and over what frontage? Have you seen the state of the British Army, we can only maintain a BG in Estonia.
I think what UKR needs is airpower to enforce a NFZ and air defences.
Russia is a bully and will never change as long as the Kremlin is on our planet?
So if the US and Russia work out a ‘peace plan’ and Ukraine say ‘No’ what’s the plan eh Don? This US Co.onel says that the deposit.oyment of US bombers is training as one team. Really!!Your president is insulting everyone outside the US he comes into contact with. How much longer will the world tolerate this idiot. To make a ‘deal’ there has to be compromises, but compromises, in this situation will only affect Ukraine you clown. You’re out of your depth here. Putin will eat you alive, which is what he’s doing in Saudia Arabia but you can’t see it coming. I mean sending a businessman to a political negotiation, really.
Here is a thought; if as it seems Trump will not support European Countries in confronting Russia over their invasion of the Ukraine, and given his expressed antipathy toward NATO as an alliance and no certainty that USA NATO commitments would be honoured – why should European Countries continue to allow USA forces to base themselves in Europe? Why are they here? What good will they do Europe? These bases would however attract hostile action if a āhotā war were to break out between Russia and USA, especially those considered to be ānuclearā establishments.
UK are not in a position to insist upon anything