The United States has dispatched more B-52H Stratofortress bombers to RAF Fairford, raising the overall count of forward-stationed American heavy bombers in England to 23. This move is part of the ongoing Operation Epic Fury, as revealed by open-source tracking and analysis conducted by Jon, Senior Editor at UK Defence Journal.
The newest additions comprise two B-52H planes, known by their callsigns “BAZOO51” and “BAZOO52.” These augment an expanding contingent that now features eight B-52s, operating concurrently with a substantial collection of B-1B Lancers already based at the Gloucestershire facility. This stationing forms a component of a broader U.S. strategy to uphold extended-range offensive missions targeting current Iranian objectives.
Even More Bombers Arrive to RAF Fairford!! #FreeIran
— Operation EPIC FURY —A total of 2 additional B-52H “Stratofortress” bombers, operating as callsigns “BAZOO51” and “BAZOO52” have arrived at RAF Fairford (EGVA) this afternoon, bringing the total US bomber fleet to 23… pic.twitter.com/28QhjsE5Cz
— DefenceGeek 🇬🇧 (@DefenceGeek) March 28, 2026
Initiated by U.S. Central Command, Operation Epic Fury concentrates on neutralizing Iran’s military capacity, encompassing its missile infrastructure and related systems. According to the U.S. Department of War, long-range bombers are fundamental in furnishing extensive conventional attack choices.
Serving as a crucial center for these endeavors, RAF Fairford’s capacity to accommodate all principal US strategic bomber models permits aircraft to execute missions into the Middle East with greater efficiency. This setup curtails transit durations and facilitates continuous sortie generation from its European location.
In recent times, a consistent influx of aircraft into the UK has been observed. Prior stationings of B-1B Lancers were succeeded by B-52 reinforcements, which seems to signify a deliberate augmentation of extended-range offensive capability as the operation carries on.
The B-52 Stratofortress persists as a fundamental component of the US’s extended-range strike capacity. It can transport approximately 70,000 pounds of armaments and operate over distances greater than 8,800 miles without aerial refueling. This equips it with the ability to launch prolonged, large-scale assaults from areas far removed from the immediate conflict zone.
Functioning at elevated subsonic velocities and possessing a substantial cargo capacity, this aircraft is engineered for longevity and extensive destructive power. It is capable of supplying a diverse assortment of conventional ordnance and continues to be a vital element of the US strategic bomber fleet, decades after its operational debut.
In conjunction, the B-1B Lancer offers a distinct array of abilities. Conceived as a supersonic, variable-sweep wing bomber, it is adept at swift infiltration and rapid-response assault operations, boasting velocities surpassing 900 mph and a range exceeding 7,000 miles when assisted by in-flight refueling.
This aircraft transports one of the greatest conventional ordnance loads in the US arsenal, up to approximately 75,000 pounds of munitions. It is optimized for adaptable offensive endeavors, capable of providing an assortment of accurately guided and multi-purpose armaments from its internal weapons bays.