On 17 February 2025, at approximately 08:30 CET, two United States Air Force Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers (registration numbers 60-0023 and 60-0040) took off from RAF Fairford in the UK and headed for the eastern Mediterranean. They were previously refuelled in mid-air by four Boeing KC-135R tanker aircraft, also from the UK, east of Sicily.

The bombers arrived at Fairford from the US last week. The US Air Force periodically bases its strategic bombers in the UK to conduct demonstration missions over the Mediterranean, Middle East and Eastern Europe. Such operations are aimed at strengthening cooperation with allies and demonstrating US military power in strategically important regions.

Earlier, on February 11, 2025, a pair of B-52H Stratofortresses arrived at Fairford Air Force Base from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. Two more of these bombers were expected to arrive, which would have increased the total number of these bombers at the base to four. These aircraft are capable of carrying nuclear weapons and participating in various military operations.

During their stay in Europe, the B-52Hs have already carried out their first scheduled mission together with fighters from France, Sweden and Finland. Such joint flights help to increase the interoperability of the armed forces of the allies and to practice joint combat missions.