Two US Air Force B-52 heavy bombers arrived unannounced at a British air base, according to local media — and experts say they’re meant to be a show of force against both Russia and Iran.
The B-52 Stratofortresses landed at the Royal Air Force’s Fairford base on Tuesday night — just four months after the last pair of nuclear-capable aircraft were spotted at the base for exercises across Europe and NATO airspace, Gloucestershire Live reports.
While the routine deployments of B-52s to Europe have been used as a tactic against Russia, Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center of Strategic and International Studies, said the bombers are also likely meant to serve as deterrents in the Middle East and may see action if Iran or the Houthi rebels attack Israel.
President Trump has previously bashed the Islamic republic over its alleged nuclear weapons ambition and the foiled plot to assassinate him.
“You could imagine usage against the Houthis,” Cancian told The Post.
He also speculated that such heavy military hardware — capable of carrying cruise missiles or up to 70,000 lbs. of bombs, including the 30,000-lb. Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bomb — would be needed if the US carried out a strike against Iran.
“Right now, Iran is keeping its head down. But, you know, you could imagine a… joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran,” he said.
While Cancian said both examples would be extreme events, he noted that the B-52s would be well equipped to assist Israel in either endeavor.
The B-52 is a long-range, subsonic bomber capable of carrying nuclear warheads, cruise missiles and other heavy bombs. It was first introduced in 1952 and is one of the oldest aircraft designs still operating in the US military.
Along with the B-2 Spirit, the B-52 serves as a key part of America’s Nuclear Triad, which aims to deter nuclear attack by being able to launch nuclear warheads around the world by land, sea and air.
The bombers have typically been deployed at times of high tension around the world as a warning and show of force to America’s rivals, including Russia, Iran, North Korea and China.
Now tensions are mounting in the Middle East over a breakdown of the Gaza cease-fire, with the Houthi rebels threatening an immediate attack against Israel if the war resumes.
The US Air Force Global Strike Command did not elaborate on what the two B-52s in Europe would be used for.
“The US Air Forces in Europe routinely hosts and supports a variety of US Air Force aircraft and units for training to support geographic combatant command objectives,” the agency said in a statement to The Post.
“BTF missions integrate Allied and Partner operations, training, and interoperability with a variety of aircraft and units to forge strong and strategic relationships, build ready and postured forces, and maintain agility in a dynamic security environment in support of global operations.”
