During the conflict with Iran, B-52s arrive at the UK air base.

 

The B-52 bombers were pictured arriving at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire earlier (Image: Getty Images)

After Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approved "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases, three more US bombers have landed in the UK. The B-52 bombers, which arrived earlier at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, can launch missiles over 1,500 miles (2414 kilometers) at heights of 160 feet (49 meters). They join a fleet of US military planes now stationed at the base after a B-1 Lancer bomber arrived on Friday evening, followed by two more on Saturday.

 After granting the US permission to use RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the prime minister told MPs the government "does not believe in regime change from the skies".

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The B‑52 is one of the US Air Force's longest‑serving and most versatile heavy bombers and can carry up to 70,000 pounds (31,751kg) of mixed weapons.

 It first flew in 1952, yet remains a core part of the United States' strategic power today due to its capacity, long range, and flexibility.

 The four pilots command the aircraft, which is the fastest bomber in the US Air Force. Sir Keir had initially refused to grant permission for the US to use UK bases in its joint offensive with Israel against Iran, which caused a disagreement with President Donald Trump.

 But in a video statement released on Sunday, Sir Keir allowed the US request in the interest of "collective self-defence" of allies and protecting British lives, accusing Iran of pursuing a "scorched-earth strategy".

 The prime minister went on to say that the United States would use UK bases to destroy Iran's missiles "at source" for the "specific and limited defensive purpose."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer approved "defensive" US action against Iranian missile sites from UK bases (Image: Getty Images)

The US and Israel began attacking Iran early on 28 February, with President Trump encouraging the Iranian people to remove the country's government.

 The Iranian regime has responded with attacks on US assets and countries in the region with a US military presence - including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.

 Sir Keir had stated that British aircraft were "in the sky" in the Middle East as part of a defensive operation to safeguard the country's allies and residents, but that the UK "played no role" in the strikes.

A US flag lies in a cockpit of the Air Force Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (Image: Reuters)

The US and Israel began attacking Iran early on 28 February, with President Trump encouraging the Iranian people to remove the country's government.

 The Iranian regime has responded with attacks on US assets and countries in the region with a US military presence - including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq.

 Sir Keir had stated that British aircraft were "in the sky" in the Middle East as part of a defensive operation to safeguard the country's allies and residents, but that the UK "played no role" in the strikes. The United States has previously used RAF Fairford, which is on the border of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, to carry out long-range heavy bombing missions. It is one of the few European bases that can operate B-1, B-52, and B-2 bombers. This makes it far more efficient for operations targeting Iran, which is located far beyond the range of US-based flights without refuelling.

Source: BBC