Are France and others starting to close their airspace to bombing missions?
Bomber Mission XIX & XX - 4th Dual Missions #FreeIran!
--- Operation EPIC FURY ---
Yesterday (16th March 2026) the US bomber fleet at RAF Fairford (EGVA) launched 2 bombing missions to Iran, both departing earlier than previously, with one that departed around 0900Z and another that departed around 1030Z.
Differently to previous runs, the bombers flew via the Atlantic and Gibraltar, being supported by tankers from Lajes (just off the side of this map). Both missions arrived back at RAF Fairford overnight:
Mission XIX
B-1B "CONGO26" 85-0088 #AE6BE1 No nickname
B-1B "CONGO27" 86-0121 #AE6BFB "Symphony of Destruction"
KC-46A "RUMMY??" 17-46037 #AE5E12 (From Lajes)
KC-46A "RUMMY16" 17-46026 #AE5E07 (From Lajes)
KC-46A "RUMMY17" 22-46106 #AE63D6 (From Lajes)
KC-135R "RUMMY06" 63-8019 #AE05AA (From Sofia)
KC-135R "RUMMY07" 63-7976 #AE038D (From Sofia)
KC-135T "RUMMY08" 58-0065 #AE0242 (From Sofia)
Mission XX
B-1B "MARCO87" 86-0120 #AE6BFA
B-1B "MARCO88" 86-0102 #AE6BEB
KC-46A "RUMMY??" ? (From Lajes)
KC-46A "RUMMY29" 19-46108 #AF8444 (From Lajes)
KC-46A "RUMMY30" 21-46099 #AE63CF (From Lajes)
KC-135R "RUMMY??" 62-3564 #AE07BC (From Sofia)
KC-135R "RUMMY??" 63-8888 #AE023C (From Sofia)
KC-135R "RUMMY??" 58-0092 #AE025D (From Sofia)
Updated for B-1 mission numbers
Last edited by ORAC; 17th March 2026 at 15:15.