Typhoons deployed in the Middle East have escorted US Air Force B-52 bombers and conducted integration training with regional and coalition air forces as part of ongoing Bomber Task Force (BTF) operations.
The missions, which included night and day sorties, saw RAF jets flying alongside aircraft from regional allies, including Iraqi Air Force F-16s for the first time.
The US bombers, currently operating from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, transited through European and Middle Eastern airspace, integrating with coalition forces before conducting live-fire exercises at ranges across the region. The RAF Typhoons, supported by a Voyager Multi-Role Transport Tanker, worked in coordination with two USAF KC-135 tankers to maintain operational tempo throughout the flights,.say the Royal Air Force in an update.
Wing Commander Chris Pearson, who leads the RAF’s Middle East-based Typhoon detachment, highlighted the value of these missions and was quoted as saying:
“The US BTF sorties are important to the RAF as they provide regular opportunities to work with one of our closest allies. The sorties maintain our experience flying with the USAF BTF during the day and at night. It demonstrates the RAF’s ability to conduct such missions and project air power in a coalition, at distance, when required.”
The integration of RAF and coalition aircraft with US strategic bombers underscores the UK’s continued commitment to regional security, they add.
The BTF missions serve both, for the Americans at least, as a show of force and an opportunity to refine operational tactics with partners.
RAF Typhoons remain deployed in the region as part of Operation Shader, the UK’s contribution to the International Counter-Daesh Coalition. What began in 2014 as a humanitarian mission to protect Yazidi civilians trapped by Daesh on Mount Sinjar evolved into a sustained air campaign targeting Daesh fighters and infrastructure across Iraq and Eastern Syria.
The UK’s involvement in the coalition remains significant, with RAF aircraft regularly conducting reconnaissance and strike missions to disrupt remaining Daesh cells and prevent their resurgence.
The Bomber Task Force (BTF) is a key initiative of the US Air Force Global Strike Command, designed to project American air power globally. Regular deployments of strategic bombers like the B-52H Stratofortress demonstrate the US military’s ability to rapidly deploy high-end combat capabilities in response to evolving threats.
US CENTCOM Commander General ‘Erik’ Kurilla said:
“Bomber Task Force missions demonstrate US power projection capability, commitment to regional security, and ability to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to broaden or escalate conflict in the CENTCOM region.”
Former USAF officer Colin Davis described the mission as part of a broader American strategy:
“These deployments are a deliberate show of force, reminding adversaries that US bombers can operate anywhere, anytime, with allied support.”
In view of the now obvious unreliability of the Trump administration’s commitment to NATO and the unbelievable development of a distinctly pro-Russia policy – including recent claims that the Ukrainian F-16’s have been disabled by some sort of American “kill switch” – the UK should consider cancelling any further orders for F35 Lightning II once the carrier requirement is complete.
I think that the government should order another squadron of T4 Typhoon instead. Possibly two. Doing so would ensure the retention of the design and engineering skills for Tempest until we start to build them.
The US has not disabled Ukraines F16s.
I’d agree, but the “carrier requirement” requires a second batch as 47 are too few.
A counter to this would be if the RN UCAVs planned reached a point they could give mass and supplement the 47, so then no second F35 tranche needed.
Our military has too much other kit sourced from the US or supported by US contractors to make any sort of break as clear cut as some demand.
And then there is the intelligence side and the US UK MDT with the nukes, which you are well versed with and yourself support.
Where to draw the line?