photo source: ArcGis map tiles
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 | 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 | strategic bombers |
| B-1B bomber |
86-0139, PIKE74 | 2026‑03‑07 | Dyess AFB | RAF Fairford | |
| B-1B bomber |
86-0108, PIKE73 | 2026‑03‑07 | Dyess AFB | RAF Fairford | |
| B-1B bomber |
86-0140, MOLT14 | 2026‑03‑07 | Dyess AFB | RAF Fairford | there were reports this aircraft arrived, but was omitted from later counts of aircraft on the ground |
| 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 | strategic bombers diverted to Ramstein AB |
| B-1B bomber |
85-0088, MOLT1? | 2026‑03‑08 | Dyess AFB | Ramstein AB | RAF Fairford | |
| B-1B bomber |
86-0107, MOLT1? | 2026‑03‑08 | Dyess AFB | Ramstein AB | RAF Fairford | |
| 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 (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 | strategic bombers |
| B-52H bomber |
60-0060, HOOKY22 | 2026‑03‑09 | Minot AFB | RAF Fairford | |
| B-52H bomber |
60-0007, HOOKY23 | 2026‑03‑09 | Minot AFB | RAF Fairford | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
N485MC, GTI8458 (Atlas Air) |
2026‑03‑09 | Dyess AFB | RAF Fairford | cargo in support of strategic bombers |
Flight data mainly from ADS-B Exchange.
Additional movement info from Fairford Movements.
Mission info uses ACARS data from Airframes.