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US-UK flyover commemorates 8th Air Force 80th anniversary
A U.S Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to 28th Bomb Wing, a Royal Air Force F-35B and two F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 492nd and 494th Fighter Squadrons, conduct a flyover at RAF Duxford, England, Feb. 1, 2022. The aircraft participated in a long-distance round trip flight from the U.S. to the United Kingdom to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 8th Air Force. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
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US-UK flyover commemorates 8th Air Force 80th anniversary
A B-1B Lancer assigned to 28th Bomb Wing conducts a flyover at RAF Duxford, England, Feb. 1, 2022. The aircraft participated in a long-distance round trip flight from the U.S. to the United Kingdom to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the 8th Air Force. (Courtesy photo)
Photo by: U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
Photo 3 of 3
US-UK flyover commemorates 8th Air Force 80th anniversary
Two U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles along with a Royal Air Force F-35 aircraft in formation during a flyover at Duxford Airfield, England, Feb. 1, 2021. The flyover was in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Eighth Air Force. Events like these celebrate the continued USAF-RAF partnership and observe dissimilar U.S. and RAF aircraft integrating on approach to Duxford Airfield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eugene Oliver)
Photo by: U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
Two B-1B Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. participated in a long-distance, roundtrip flight from the United States to the United Kingdom to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Eighth Air Force, Feb. 1, 2022.
Air Force Global Strike Command strategic bombers were joined by Royal Air Force F-35 aircraft and U.S. Air Force F-15 aircraft from RAF Lakenheath over the RAF Duxford area. Duxford houses Europe’s largest air museum and was once home to an Eighth Air Force P-51 unit.
“The Eighth Air Force has a long, rich history that dates back to World War II,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew Gebara, Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander. “Not only does this flight signify the longevity and reach of the United States’ bomber force, but it also pays tribute to our closest Ally, the United Kingdom. Eighth Air Force has had a close relationship with the Royal Air Force since its beginning.”
The modern day Eighth Air Force traces its lineage back to VIII Bomber Command, established on February 1, 1942, at Langley Field, Virginia. That same month, VIII Bomber Command moved to England, first to Daws Hill and later to High Wycombe, where it established its wartime headquarters in the Wycombe Abbey School. On February 22, 1944, the Army reorganized its Air Forces in Europe by renaming Eighth Air Force as the United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe – the VIII Bomber Command officially became Eighth Air Force.
Eighth Air Force earned the name, “The Mighty Eighth,” due to its size and strength during WWII. By mid-1944, the unit had more than 200,000 members. At its peak, the Mighty Eighth could dispatch more than 1,000 four-engine bombers and varieties of fighter aircraft on a single mission if need be.
“For 80 years, bomber operations have remained a vital component to U.S. strategic forces,” said Gebara.
Today, Bomber Task Force (BTF) missions, both deployed and those operating from home station, can be seen in every area across the globe. BTFs, like the one at RAF Duxford, demonstrate the U.S. Air Force’s unique ability to rapidly deploy and integrate with NATO Allies and coalition partners.
For operational inquiries, please contact USAFE Public Affairs at +49 (0) 6371-47-6558 or via e-mail at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil. For anniversary or heritage inquiries, please contact Mr. Justin Oakes, Public Affairs Director at justin.oakes@us.af.mil
U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 65,000 permanent military personnel supported by rotational forces and DoD civilians working closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. For more information about USEUCOM, visit https://www.eucom.mil.
