About a dozen B-1 bombers are now at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom as a base from which to launch strikes on Iran, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine—which could represent more than half of the U.S. Air Force’s mission-capable Lancer fleet.
The buildup at the air base in Gloucestershire, England, started March 6 when the U.K. Ministry of Defense started allowing the U.S. to use its bases for attacks on Iran and has continued apace in recent days, open-source data shows. All told, as many as 15 bombers are at the base, with three B-52 Stratofortresses in addition to the B-1s.
The press office for U.S. Central Command declined to comment. On March 7, the U.K. Ministry of Defense said in a statement that “United States has started using British bases for specific defensive operations to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region.” U.S. bombers are striking Iranian missile sites, the U.S. military says.
There are 44 B-1s in the Air Force inventory, but a portion of them are not available for operations at any given time, either for testing or for maintenance. As of late 2024, the service maintained a 47 percent mission-capable rate for the aircraft—suggesting around 20-22 jets are actually available.
While the U.S. has used both its B-52 and B-2 bombers to strike Iran, the B-1 is the most heavily deployed right now. It has the largest internal payload and is the service’s faster-flying bomber, making it ideal for reaching long distances and striking multiple targets over a wide area.
“I’m not surprised by it,” said retired Col. Mark Gunzinger, director of future concepts and capability assessments at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and a former B-52 pilot. “I think the Air Force is using its bomber force quite effectively.”
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer takes off in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 6, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo
“For a fight of even this magnitude, relying on only one bomber variant could really put a lot of strain on that force and on their air crews,” Gunzinger said.
In the first few days of the operation, bombers were flying roughly 36-hour round-trip sorties from the continental United States to Iran and back. Those distances are doable but reduce the number of flights crews can make.
Initially, British leaders denied the United States use of its bases, such as Fairford and Diego Garcia, an island military base in the Indian Ocean. But officials relented following a March 5 Iranian drone attack on a U.K. base in Cyprus.
In a five-minute address on March 11, U.S. Central Command head Adm. Brad Cooper specifically referenced a bomber mission as part of the ongoing strikes.
“Just last night our bomber force hit a large ballistic missile factory,” Cooper said. He noted that such a strike was an example of targeting both current and future threats.
One B-1 arrived at Fairford on March 6, with four more arriving March 7. Those bombers were joined by three B-52s and three B-1s on March 9, and four B-1s on March 10, according to open source and flight tracker data.
Being able to fly out of Fairford significantly increases sortie rates.
“It certainly reduces strain on pilots, shorter sortie durations, less refueling, all translates to higher sortie rates,” Gunzinger said. “Greater rates mean more bombs on target.”
The B-1’s flexibility and munition carriage volume might also hint at why it’s in greater use at this stage.
B-1 Lancers and B-52 Stratofortresses Unleash Fury on Iran from British Soil
byAero News Journal-March 13, 2026
London, March 13 – The escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran has reached a significant new phase with the deployment of U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress bombers operating from Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom. Under Operation Epic Fury, which commenced on February 28, 2026, these strategic bombers are now launching long-range precision strikes deep into Iranian territory. The use of RAF Fairford as a forward operating base marks a strategic shift, allowing American forces to conduct sustained missions against hardened targets, including missile facilities, command centers, and other military infrastructure. This basing decision followed approval from British authorities for defensive operations against Iranian missile capabilities, enabling rapid response and extended reach without relying solely on assets closer to the Middle East theater.
The B-1B Lancer, known for its supersonic speed and substantial payload capacity, has been particularly active in delivering bunker-busting munitions and precision-guided weapons to neutralize deeply buried Iranian ballistic missile sites and underground launchers. Multiple B-1Bs arrived at RAF Fairford in early March 2026, with reports indicating a substantial fleet now supporting the campaign. Complementing these efforts, the iconic B-52H Stratofortress bombers, originating from bases such as Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, have joined the operations. Capable of carrying massive ordnance loads over intercontinental distances, the B-52s have targeted command-and-control posts and missile-related infrastructure, contributing to the degradation of Iran’s retaliatory capabilities. These heavy bombers, supported by aerial refueling, undertake lengthy missions from the UK, underscoring the transatlantic alliance’s role in projecting power across vast distances.
The strikes form part of a broader U.S.-led effort to diminish Iran’s military posture, focusing on air superiority and the systematic reduction of threats posed by its missile arsenal and associated networks. U.S. Central Command has emphasized that these operations aim to establish dominance in the airspace and prevent further escalatory actions from Tehran. The integration of B-1 and B-52 platforms enhances the campaign’s effectiveness, combining the B-1’s agility for targeted deep strikes with the B-52’s endurance for large-scale bombardment. As the conflict progresses, the forward deployment to the UK facilitates more frequent and intensive sorties, reducing transit times and increasing operational tempo against key Iranian assets.
This development highlights the enduring strategic importance of allied basing in modern warfare, allowing the U.S. Air Force to leverage advanced bombers like the B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress for decisive impact far from home stations. The ongoing missions from RAF Fairford signal a commitment to sustained pressure on Iranian military elements, as part of efforts to secure regional stability amid heightened tensions.
Retired, living in the Scottish Borders after living most of my life in cities in England. I can now indulge my interest in all aspects of living close to nature in a wild landscape. I live on what was once the Iapetus Ocean which took millions of years to travel from the Southern Hemisphere to here in the Northern Hemisphere. That set me thinking and questioning and seeking answers.
In 1998 I co-wrote Millennium Countdown (US)/ A Business Guide to the Year 2000 (UK) see https://www.abebooks.co.uk/products/isbn/9780749427917
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