"Enhanced Expeditionary Operations" at RAF Fairford, March 2026

part 1 - build-up and supply

Details of various flights to and from RAF Fairford as part the operation by the United States' government and its military forces against Iran, starting in March 2026.

photo source: ArcGis map tiles

All information was obtained from publicly accessible sources.

Flights made by commerical carriers have that carrier's name in parentheses () instead of a mission number. Items are shown in grey when the flight had not yet reached RAF Fairford at the time of update.

The euphemism for bombing in the title comes from a NOTAM issued by RAF Fairford on 2026-03-06:
CAUTION TO ALL OPERATING ON THE SOUTHWEST LOOP: FOUR HARDSTANDS WILL BE CLOSED FOR ENHANCED EXPEDITIONARY OPERATIONS. EXPECT IMPACTS TO FUTURE MISSIONS.

type / role	serial, ident mission	active from	itinerary	notes
B-1B bomber	86-0120, PIKE72	2026‑03‑06	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bomber
C-5M heavy airlift	87-0029, RCH5038 PMZF5038C065	2026‑03‑06	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
B-1B bomber	86-0121, PIKE72	2026‑03‑07	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
B-1B bomber	86-0139, PIKE74	2026‑03‑07
B-1B bomber	86-0108, PIKE73	2026‑03‑07
B-1B bomber	86-0140, MOLT14	2026‑03‑07	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bomber
C-5M heavy airlift	85-0001, RCH1884 AMZF5039C066	2026‑03‑07	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-17A heavy airlift	03-3124, RCH636 AMZF1556C066	2026‑03‑07	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N768CK, CKS411 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑08	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-17A heavy airlift	08-8192, RCH579 PMZF1566C066	2026‑03‑08	Dyess AFB \| Prestwick \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers; diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport due to poor weather at RAF Fairford
C-17A heavy airlift	93-0599, RCH660 AMZF1557C066	2026‑03‑07	Minot AFB \| McGuire AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
B-1B bomber	85-0064, MOLT11	2026‑03‑08	Dyess AFB \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers diverted to Ramstein AB, arrived at Fairford a day later
B-1B bomber	85-0088, MOLT12	2026‑03‑08
B-1B bomber	86-0107, MOLT13	2026‑03‑08
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N713CK, CKS413 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑08	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	15-5831, HKY754	2026‑03‑08	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance (Mode S off, VDL2 on)
Boeing 777 heavy airlift	N819AX, OAE2043 (Omni Air)	2026‑03‑08	Ellsworth AFB \| Bangor \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 777 heavy airlift	N825KW, EAL3163 (Eastern Airlines)	2026‑03‑08	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
B-52H bomber	60-0023, HOOKY21	2026‑03‑09	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
B-52H bomber	60-0060, HOOKY22	2026‑03‑09
B-52H bomber	60-0007, HOOKY23	2026‑03‑09
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N740CK, CKS415 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑09	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	08-5683, HKY759 UMZF759EU068	2026‑03‑09	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-17A heavy airlift	95-0104, RCH694 JMZF1575C067	2026‑03‑09	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N429MC, GTI8192 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑09	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N416MC, GTI8675 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑09	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N485MC, GTI8458 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑09	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N767CK, CKS505 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑10	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	08-3176, HKY760 UMZF760EU069	2026‑03‑10	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N700CK, CKS417 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑10	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	07-4635, HKY761 UMZF761EU069	2026‑03‑10	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
B-1B bomber	86-0138, TWIN41	2026‑03‑10	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
B-1B bomber	85-0072, TWIN42	2026‑03‑10
B-1B bomber	86-0102, TWIN43	2026‑03‑10
B-1B bomber	86-0129, TWIN44	2026‑03‑10
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N744CK, CKS507 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑10	Minot AFB \| Liège \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers aborted approach to Fairford, diverted to Liège
Boeing 777 heavy airlift	N819AX, OAE2043 (Omni Air)	2026‑03‑10	Minot AFB \| Bangor \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-5M heavy airlift	87-0029, RCH5055 PMZF5045C066	2026‑03‑10	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-17A heavy airlift	96-0002, RCH689	2026‑03‑10	Minot ANG \| Gander \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N745CK, CKS9706 (Kalitta Air)	2026‑03‑10	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N450PA, GTI8590 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑10	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-5M heavy airlift	85-0001, RCH1881 AMZF5042C068	2026‑03‑10	Ellsworth AFB \| Dover AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	94-7318, HKY757	2026‑03‑11	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-5M heavy airlift	85-0010, RCH5058 PMZF5044C068	2026‑03‑10	Ellsworth AFB \| Pease ANG \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N498MC, GTI8592 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑11	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	94-7318, HKY768	2026‑03‑12	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N451PA, GTI8594 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑12	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N454PA, GTI8596 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑12	Dyess AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
B-52H bomber	61-0001, FLIP61	2026‑03‑13	Minot AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
B-52H bomber	61-0035, FLIP62	2026‑03‑13
B-52H bomber	60-0012, FLIP63	2026‑03‑13
C-17A heavy airlift	94-0041, RCH1869 AMZF1672C072	2026‑03‑13	[Middle East] \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	????
C-5M heavy airlift	86-0023, RCH5070 PMZF507EU070	2026‑03‑13	Ellsworth AFB \| Pease ANG \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130H tactical transport	92-3288, HKY768	2026‑03‑14	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-40B pax transport	02-0042, RCH2042	2026‑03‑14	Andrews AFB \| RAF Fairford	passengers, probably senior officers for briefing
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N445MC, GTI8667 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑14	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N450PA, GTI8663 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑14	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N489MC, GTI8665 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑15	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	15-5822, HKY778	2026‑03‑15	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-8601, HKY777 UMZF777EU074	2026‑03‑15	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-5M heavy airlift	86-0022, RCH5004 PMZF508EU070	2026‑03‑15	Travis AFB \| Dover AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	94-7318, HKY779 UMZF777EU074	2026‑03‑15	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	15-5831, HKY776	2026‑03‑16	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance (Mode S off, VDL2 on)
C-5M heavy airlift	86-0025, RCH5008 AMZF5043C070	2026‑03‑14	Ellsworth AFB \| Pease ANGB \| Dover AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers; (diverted into Dover while en route from Pease to Fairford)
C-130J tactical transport	08-5683, HKY780 UMZF780EU076	2026‑03‑17	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130H tactical transport	94-7319, RCH123	2026‑03‑13	Peterson SFB \| Bangor \| Shannon \| RAF Fairford	cargo
C-130J tactical transport	08-5683, HKY793 UMZF793EU077	2026‑03‑18	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	15-5822, HKY794	2026‑03‑18	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	07-8614, HKY700	2026‑03‑19	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-5683, HKY709 UMZF709EU079	2026‑03‑20	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-37B vip transport	20-1949, SAM554	2026‑03‑20	Offutt AFB \| RAF Fairford \| Offutt AFB	passengers, probably senior officers for briefing
C-130J tactical transport	06-4631, HKY719 UMZF719EU081	2026‑03‑22	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-3176, HKY720	2026‑03‑22	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-5683, HKY721 UMZF721EU081	2026‑03‑22	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-17A heavy airlift	92-3293, RCH245 JMZF149EU078	2026‑03‑22	Travis AFB \| Pease ANGB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	15-5831, HKY723	2026‑03‑24	Ramstein AB \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	06-4631, HKY711	2026‑03‑24	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	07-4635, HKY712	2026‑03‑24	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	15-5831, HKY718	2026‑03‑25	Ramstein AB \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-8601, HKY714	2026‑03‑25	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	15-5822, HKY717	2026‑03‑25	Ramstein AB \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| RAF Lakenheath \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-5683, HKY737 UMZF737EU085	2026‑03‑26	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-3173, HKY722 UMZF722EU085	2026‑03‑26	Ramstein AB \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
B-1B bomber	86-0134, PURSE33	2026‑03‑26	Ellsworth AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
B-1B bomber	85-0060, PURSE34	2026‑03‑26
B-1B bomber	85-0069, PURSE35	2026‑03‑26
C-130J tactical transport	06-3171, HKY725 UMZF725EU086	2026‑03‑27	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	08-3173, HKY726 UMZF726EU086	2026‑03‑27	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	06-8611, HKY727	2026‑03‑27	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N499MC, GTI8928 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑27	Hill AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	06-4631, HKY742 UMZF742EU087	2026‑03‑28	Ramstein AB \| RAF Fairford \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	06-3171, HKY744 UMZF744EU087	2026‑03‑28	Ramstein AB \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford \| Spangdahlem AB \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N344KD, CMB851 (Western Global)	2026‑03‑28	Hill AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
B-52H bomber	61-0020, BAZOO51	2026‑03‑28	Barksdale AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
B-52H bomber	60-0013, BAZOO52	2026‑03‑28	Barksdale AFB \| RAF Fairford	arrival of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	08-3173, HKY728	2026‑03‑28	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
C-130J tactical transport	06-8611, HKY729 UMZF729EU087	2026‑03‑28	Ramstein AB \| Aviano AB \| RAF Fairford \| Ramstein AB	cargo, probably ordnance
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N489MC, GTI8932 (Atlas Air)	2026‑03‑29	Hill AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers
C-130J tactical transport	06-3171, HKY743 UMZF743EU088	2026‑03‑29	Ramstein AB \| Spangdahlem AB \| RAF Fairford	cargo, probably ordnance
Boeing 747 heavy airlift	N344KD (Western Global)	2026‑03‑29	Hill AFB \| RAF Fairford	cargo in support of strategic bombers

Bomber sorties are covered in part 2.

Flight data mainly from ADS-B Exchange, Fairford Movements and Airframes.