8 Bombers And Around 600 U.S. Airmen Deployed To The UK

For the first time ever all three of the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command Bombers are in the European theatre at the same time.

The speedy B1 Lancers, the stealthy B2 Spirits and the strong B52 Stratofortresses are all working out of RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire during the deployment.

In total 8 bombers and around 600 U.S. Airmen have been deployed to the UK.

Lieutenant General Richard Clarke, Commander of the 3rd Air Force in Europe, said they will participate in national exercises,

"to demonstrate how our team of allies can rapidly amass at a time and location of our choosing to deter and defend against any possible aggression".

The bombers can take on various roles in the joint exercises including mine laying, reconnaissance and intercepting and preventing the movement of ships.

Now in its 45th year, NATO’s BALTOPS which runs until the end of the week is mainly a maritime exercise in the Baltic Sea.

But ground and air assets, including the U.S. Bombers, are also involved.

In total 4,000 naval personnel, 50 ships and submarines and over 50 aircraft from 14 different countries are taking part.

Together the trio of bombers offers a robust, flexible and lethal capability which remains critical to global security.