In September 2025, the quiet Gloucestershire countryside once again echoed with the thunder of strategic airpower as the U.S. Air Force’s 307th Bomb Wing deployed two B-52H Stratofortress bombers to RAF Fairford. Their arrival marked the beginning of Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2, a high-intensity multinational training event hosted by the Royal Air Force that has become a cornerstone of NATO’s integrated air operations. On September 12, two B-52Hs—tail numbers 61-0014 and 61-0029—touched down at RAF Fairford under the callsigns SCALP 93 and SCALP 94. These aircraft, operated by the 307th Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, brought with them decades of strategic legacy and modernized capability.
The Bomber Task Force (BTF) deployment is part of a broader U.S. European Command initiative to demonstrate strategic reach, enhance readiness, and reinforce deterrence across the European theater. Cobra Warrior 25-2 focuses on joint mission planning, integration, and tactical execution within a Composite Air Operation (COMAO) environment. For the 307th, the exercise offers a rare opportunity to operate in a coalition setting, simulating near-peer conflict scenarios and refining multi-domain tactics. Cobra Warrior 25-2 brings together air forces from across NATO and allied nations, with RAF Fairford serving as a strategic launchpad. The exercise also serves as the capstone for several U.K. Qualified Weapons Instructor courses, blending tactical training with operational realism. The B-52s are expected to participate in complex sorties across the U.K., simulating long-range strike missions, electronic warfare, and dynamic targeting. Behind the scenes, U.S. Airmen from the 307th Bomb Wing have been conducting post-flight maintenance and mission prep on the Stratofortresses, ensuring peak performance in a high-tempo environment. RAF Fairford’s infrastructure continues to prove its value as a forward operating location, offering logistical support and strategic flexibility for U.S. bomber operations in Europe. This deployment underscores the enduring relevance of the B-52H in modern warfare. Despite its Cold War origins, the aircraft remains a linchpin of U.S. global strike capability, capable of delivering precision and deterrence across continents. Exercises like Cobra Warrior not only sharpen the edge of participating crews but also send a clear signal of allied resolve in an increasingly contested global landscape.
Article by Matt Sudol, additional imagery provided by USAF Staff Sgt Tambri Cason
© South West Aviation Photographers 2025