USAF Sending B-52, Fighters, and More to Major Air Shows in UK

Posted: 23rd July 2024

July 17, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak

The U.S. Air Force will be well represented at the world’s biggest military airshow and one of its largest airshows of any kind, running back to back in the coming weeks. 

U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa announced the lineup of flying and static displays for the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, running July 19-21, and the Farnborough International Air Show organizers announced U.S. Air Force participants in that event, which runs immediately after RIAT. 

This year’s RIAT, which celebrates the 75th anniversary of NATO, will include: 

• F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle fighters from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath
• F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany
• KC-135R Stratotankers from RAF Mildenhall
• C-130J Hercules and C-21A Learjet from the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

At the Farnborough show, which runs July 22-26, organizers say the Air Force will send: 

• B-52 Stratofortress
• F-15E Eagle
• C-130J Hercules
• MQ-9 Reaper

Home bases of the Farnborough display jets has not yet been disclosed. 

Boeing will fly the F-15QA, on which the U.S. F-15EX is based, at Farnborough to demonstrate its “combat capabilities,” the company said. 

“RIAT is the world’s largest military airshow held annually at RAF Fairford, England, bringing together military and political leaders from around the world,” a USAFE/AFAFRICA release stated. The Air Force’s participation “demonstrates U.S. commitment to our allies and partners, while also reinforcing the strength and unity of NATO.” 

The Army and Navy will also deploy aircraft to Farnborough, to include a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a CH-47F Army transport, and an AH-64E attack helicopter. 

The U.S. typically sends a senior Department of Defense and Commerce delegation to Farnborough to meet with fellow armaments directors and discuss potential arms sales, some of which may be announced at the event. U.S. Senators attending the 2024 Farnborough show will include Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.); Jerry Moran (R-Kans.); John Boozman (R-Ark.) Katie Britt (R-Ala.); Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.); Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and John Kennedy (R-La.). 

NOTE – more evidence of arms trade dealings at Fairford – last paragraph, above