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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Phil Norris

USAF B52 bombers cause Storm Eunice confusion in morning flyover

A loud rumbling sound was heard over parts of the South West on England on Friday - but it had nothing to do with Storm Eunice.

Residents in Gloucestershire thought the red alert storm was really picking up as the sound reverberated around the county shortly before 8am on Friday.

But it was later revealed to be two huge B-52 bombers, deployed to RAF Fairford in the Cotswolds from their base in the United States.

Gloucester resident Jenni Phillips tweeted: "Thought the wind was REALLY LOUD but no, it was a B52 popping out for an adventure doing a quick loop at 7,000ft."

Despite speculation the planes wouldn't take off due to the winds, two bombers with callsigns ZEUS 31 and ZEUS 32 were seen and heard flying over much of Gloucestershire.

Four bombers are at RAF Fairford from their home in Minot, North Dakota for a "long-planned" training mission.

Their deployment comes as tensions continue over Ukraine with fears of a Russian invasion.

The USAF confirmed the arrival of the B-52 Stratofortress aircraft, support equipment, and personnel from the 5th Bomb Wing.

“With an ever-changing global security environment, it’s critical that our efforts with our allies and partners are unified,” said Gen Harrigian.

“We’re in Europe training and collaborating together, because consistent integration is how we strengthen our collective airpower.”

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