US Warplanes Land At RAF Fairford In UK’s Gloucestershire As Iran War Enters Day 9

Last Updated:March 08, 2026, 06:20 IST

US President Donald Trump has criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of seeking to “join wars after we’ve already won”.

As the war with Iran entered its ninth day, US fighter jets and larger military aircraft were seen landing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The activity comes amid the US-Israel war against Iran, which began on February 28.

Among the aircraft arriving were B-1B Lancer bombers. The first landed on March 6 with the callsign PILE72 after flying from Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. More B-1 bombers are expected to arrive for what has been described as “surge" strikes on Iranian sites.

Heavy transport aircraft have also been seen arriving at the base. A C-5 Galaxy arrived on March 6 from Dyess, carrying equipment linked to B-1 operations, including payloads, troops and munitions.

Multiple C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft have also landed at the base since March 1. Between two and ten aircraft arrived from US bases including Washington and South Carolina to support logistics.

Strategic role of RAF Fairford

RAF Fairford hosts the US 501st Combat Support Wing and is one of only two European bases used for all US heavy bombers, including the B-1, B-2 and B-52.

The UK approved the deployment after Iranian drone threats to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Aviation spotters have reported increased military activity at Fairford, though the UK Ministry of Defence has not commented on operational details.

Trump Vs Starmer

The military movements come amid political tensions between Washington and London. US President Donald Trump has criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of seeking to “join wars after we’ve already won".

Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform and said the United States did not need British aircraft carriers.

The comments followed reports that the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales had been placed on advanced readiness.

UK role in the conflict

Earlier, B-1 bomber jets were seen landing at RAF Fairford after the UK allowed the United States to use British military bases for defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites.

Prime Minister Starmer had earlier decided not to join the initial US-Israel strikes on Iran.

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