The British airfield RAF Fairford is the USAF’s most used bomber base in Europe. On a regular basis B-52’s, B-1’s and B-2 deploy to here in order to train and fly with allies. Their missions can range from using ranges throughout Europe for bomb practice to flying over waterbodies to train with navy’s for the use of air launched torpedoes or guided antiship rockets.
Next to the bomber deployments, RAF Fairford is home to one of the detachments of the 9th reconnaissance wing from Beale AFB where the famous U-2 is being flown. U-2 missions may last very long and more than often the underside of the wings are white from frost in the high atmosphere upon landing.
