USAF jets attack Iran in Operation "Epic Fury"

A small selection of images from the war against Iran, from FB photographers at Fairford and the CENTCOM website image gallery.

EF-18G Growler (a specialised, anti-air defence USN fighter/bomber) getting airborne from Muwwaffaq Salti AB in Jordan loaded with four AGM-88 anti-radar missiles…

 A U.S. Air Force F-15E takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. (U.S. Air Force Photo)

Lakenheath-based F-35 seen getting airborne in a recent USAF image posted on the CENTCOM image gallery. RAF Lakenheath in the UK hosts two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II squadrons under the 48th Fighter Wing: the 495th Fighter Squadron ("Valkyries"), which was the first overseas USAF F-35A unit, and the 493rd Fighter Squadron ("Grim Reapers"), which transitioned from F-15s to F-35As during 2025. Both squadrons have achieved full operating capacity.

pre-flight checks on an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 37, on the flight deck of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while operating in support of Operation Epic Fury in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, March 2, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

 An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, is chained down on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, Mar. 3, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

 An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 3, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

A U.S. sailor performs a visual inspection on an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 213, on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

Oskar Hough photo, B-1 gets airborne from RAF Fairford 

four General Electric F101s seen in full burner mode as this RAF Fairford-based  B-1 takes off on 15 March. (HL PowerHunting photos)

 
..and, on 19 March, through the haze high in the skies over Somerset, a USAF KC-135R fuelling a B-1 over Launceston (Anna Wheeler photo)

Also on 19 March a B-52 from Minot AFB gets airborne from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire toting 12 AGM-158 cruise missiles each with 1000 lb armour-piercing warhead. Brilliantly captured by Adrian Webster Photography on FB (low-res copy shared here with the FB code..)

For an assessment of Iran's air defence capabilities see Tom Cooper's Substack page here

"Quick Climb Friday" RAF Lakenheath, 11 July 2025 - Langley Eustis Raptors in the UK

 

A good friend to this blog is Leigh Smith. Leigh is a tremendous photographer and has kindly shared these images of a recent excursion to RAF Lakenheath; 

 " As the forecast was good, I decided to visit Lakenheath for "Quick Climb Friday". I arrived just before 09.00 and was astounded to see how busy the forest entrance area and official viewing area was! I found out that the 1st FW Langley-Eustis Raptors are still in residence! I missed the launch of five Raptors, but decided to hang around for their return! I saw four of the home-team F-35As launch as 2 pairs and all of them did quick climbs from Runway 23, which meant that I didn't get the hoped for shots!.."

The 1st Fighter Wing, stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, operates and maintains nearly half of the U.S. Air Force's F-22 Raptor fleet. The wing's primary mission is to provide air superiority through the F-22, including maintaining readiness, deploying globally, and training F-22 pilots. The 1st FW is composed of the 1st Operations Group, the 1st Maintenance Group, and other supporting units.

German Luftwaffe to procure 35 F-35 and 15 Eurofighters

 

"..the decision to procure the F-35 has been made. What this means for the Luftwaffe is explained by Generalleutnant Ingo Gerhartz.."

"...There was only one response possible to Putin's aggression and that was to show our determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with our NATO allies already operating the most modern warplane currently flying anywhere in the world. The decision to procure this jet strengthens our ability, together with our partners, to support NATO airspace and defend the alliance. All 35 aircraft will serve with Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 33 (formerly Jagdbombergeschwader 33) ..."

The Geschwader (Tactical Air Force Wing 33, abbreviated as 'TaktLwG 33' ) is based in Büchel (near Spangdahlem) and operates the Tornado IDS under its Kommodore, Oberst Thomas Schneider. The additional Eurofighters to be purchased will be operated in the electronic warfare role 

Die Entscheidung #F35 Kampfjets zu beschaffen ist getroffen. Was das für die Luftwaffe bedeutet, erklärt Generalleutnant Ingo Gerhartz im Video. Weitere Informationen sind auch hier zu finden: https://t.co/kompBEFwRd pic.twitter.com/ICKCCFpfe8

— Team_Luftwaffe (@Team_Luftwaffe) March 15, 2022

What do the American navy think of the new British aircraft carrier HMS QE II?

by David Crawford, former British Army Infantry Officer (1974-1994)

 The QE class of carriers are a totally different breed from the US Navy super carriers; they are a new concept of carrier.

No catapults - no point in having catapults as their are currently no 5th generation cat -launched aircraft, other than the F35 conventional carrier variant, so why build a new ship to operate obsolete air assets requiring additional, space hungry plant and equipment ( Cats and Arresters), so reducing space for the air-wing and other assets.

They are the first true multi role naval carriers, ideally suited to UK naval policy and doctrine. She is capable of operating a substantial air-wing of F-35B’s, she can act as a pure helicopter carrier operating every type of chopper in the UK inventory including Chinooks and Ospreys, she can carry mixed wings of helicopters and strike aircraft without any modifications, she can carry a full Royal Marine Commando, plus support troops and HQ as standard. In short she is the worlds first Fleet Strike, Helicopter, Support, Assault, General purpose carrier that can fulfill every role currently requiring a host of different platforms. She can do everything the UK needs, from global power projection, intervention, and humanitarian assistance, without any conversion or additional costs.

Much is made of her not being nuclear powered and reliant of fossil fuel replenishment. The biggest new US nuclear carriers still require to be replenished, their nuclear power plants do not provide dry stores or food, aviation fuel or munitions so topping her bunkers up is no big deal. The RN and RFA are well equipped, practiced and experienced at such things. Plus the US carriers ability to cruise for 20+ years between a 4 -5 year long refuel does not diminish the requirements of her conventional escort and supply ships to refuel and replenish from auxiliaries.

The fact the QE class are not nuclear powered, along with her size, is a major advantage. The majority of the UK’s overseas territories do not have huge harbours and many of our allies will not allow nuclear vessels into their ports. There is no point in having a flagship that can’t visit, replenish or be repaired anywhere but at home or in the USA.

Costs alone make the QE class world leaders - two multi role carriers for 3 billion? Manned by a very small crew, future proofed, easy to maintain and no harbour/port limitations. The US could probably build 10–12 of these for every Gerald Ford class carrier they currently plan to build, reflect on that : 1 nuclear carrier with an air-wing of about 75 aircraft, requiring a crew of 4300 men, 10 QE carriers, total air-wing of 700+ aircraft and total crew of 6700 men. What is the most flexible, cost effective “bang for buck” deal?

Cmdr. Nathan Gray RN, Makes the first ever F-35B Lightning II jet take off from HMS Queen Elizabeth on Sept. 25, 2018. Royal Navy Photo

first Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL) of UK's F-35 B

A revolutionary method of landing an F-35 Lightning fighter jet on board a ship has been carried out for the first time on board the UK’s newest aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

British test pilot Peter Wilson made history when he conducted the first ever shipborne rolling vertical landing (SRVL) this weekend – a method which looks like a conventional aircraft landing but requires even more intense skill and precision. Previously the jets have conducted only vertical landings, hovering by the side of the ship before moving sideways over the deck and gently lowering down.

A rolling landing however requires the jet to make a more conventional landing approach, approaching the ship from behind at speed, before using thrust from its nozzle and lift created by air over the wings to touch down and gently come to a stop. The UK is the only nation currently planning to use the manoeuver, which will allow jets to land on board the carrier with heavier loads, meaning they won’t need to jettison expensive fuel and weapons before landing.

More F-35 posts on this blog, including first UK airshow appearance, RIAT 2016

https://falkeeinsgreatplanes.blogspot.com/2016/07/lockheed-martin-f-35s-at-fairford-for.html

F-22 Raptor rampage - spectacular display at RIAT 2016 (2)

 Above; Tad Dippel photo from the Thursday morning practise. Below; neat video of Friday morning's display at the 2016 Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. The F-35 gets airborne ahead of the F-22. The Raptor displays before returning to perform several flypasts with the F-35 together before they both landed. This was to be a US Air Force Heritage flight with a P-51 D Mustang joining the F-22 and F-35 but wasn't able to do so due to the wind. F-35 Heritage display pilot was Will Andreotta who I was able to chat to on the pre-show Thursday here

 

Lots of F-35 coverage at RIAT 2016 on this blog here

Alpha Delta 210 photo coverage on britmodeller.com is here

Below; superb Barry Moore photo

Above; Nico Charpentier photo and, below, Rob Yates from Thursday's practise " cloud burst "

Below; Andrew Critchell photo ; " ..Raptor Rampage at RIAT... this is from Saturday taken to the left of FRIAT - missed the wonderful vapour pull up from the take off (wasnt ready for that so have some lovely pics of the bottom half of the a/c surrounded by vapour!) but this is the second pull up showing the new hidden, stealthy cockpit!.."

..and last but not least; on Saturday morning the Raptor went to Duxford for the 'Legends 2016' display. Neil Cotton photo. The only RIAT day that saw the full Raptor display was Friday - there was low cloud on the Saturday and a technical issue on the Sunday both of which caused a curtailment of the displays...

F-22 on the taxiway near the 'Green' entrance. Exceptional Jon Harris photo via the Aviation Photographers FB page here

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at Fairford for Air Tattoo 2016, Maj. Will Andreotta F-35 'Heritage Team' display pilot -RIAT 2016 (1)

Just back from three days at RIAT 2016 and a few low-res images for you of the F-35 Lightning II including a couple of shots (bottom) of the USMC variant in the hover courtesy of Tad Dippel. Thanks Tad! The hover kicking up the dirt was Wednesday - shows how much more powerful the engine is. Aluminium matting was laid for Friday's display.  'Heritage' display pilot Maj. Will Andreotta seen dismounting after his display in tandem with the F-22 on Friday's show (8 July) in the third picture. The RAF variant flew an 'historic' formation with the Red Arrows and the two RAF Display Typhoons...

.. I was lucky enough to chat to Maj. Will Andreotta, the F-35 'Heritage' display team pilot. Will flew F-16s which surprised me. For some reason I thought all F-35 (strike) pilots would have F-15 time. He showed me the amazing $400K helmet - there is no HUD in these machines, everything is projected onto the visor and every flight is made with the helmet 'active'. He described the transatlantic flight (15 refuellings to maintain an adequate reserve at all times), the engine (43000 lbs thrust - biggest ever in a 'fighter') and we sort of discussed the LO airframe 'coating' that conveys the aircraft's so-called 'stealthy' characteristics. The 'hover' is from Wednesday when the aircraft set up a real dust storm - they laid some alu matting by Friday. Not sure that I've been 'won' over, but its a big and fast STOL/VTOL airplane - or at least appears to be!

..so the future of combat aircraft flying together. The commentators at RIAT were banging on about that over through the show. These machines will still be in service when most of us have gone (speaking for the over-40s there..) - grim thought that for the future of airshows. Although the F-35 pulls some nice contrails just flying straight and level at times. Still, amazing to see both the F-22 and F-35 together.

A final remark about 'operating system longevity'; the programme operates a $300 million reprogramming lab at Eglin opened in 2011 updating 'threat libraries' and overseeing 'system(s) reprogramming'. The F-35 will serve from 2018 for at least 30 years - an "upgradeable" aircraft, the F-35 is designed " to meet evolving threats". In fact when the Typhoon disappears (around 2030..) the F-35 will be the only frontline combat aircraft in RAF service, probably the last manned one too..

below; Nico Charpentier and Tad Dippel photos

" ..a photo that we are going to be looking at for decades to come ..."  F-35 B with the Red Arrows and RAF Typhoon display team, Friday 08 July 2016 RAF Fairford

and a Chris France photo from the opening routine at Friday's RIAT and not repeated over the weekend - the F-35 A and refuelling USMC KC-130 J - a rare visitor to a UK airshow in  its own right!

Video of Friday's routine with the C-130 tanker via the Lockheed Martin/Pratt and Whitney chalet. Well back from the flightline but of good quality



and from those super boys at planesTV.com, a short clip of the RAF 'B' variant practising the display routine and hover




Nigel Woolley's RIAT coverage reposted via youtube's 'embed' code.  A single click to view here or double click to go to Nigel's channel.  This was Wednesday arrivals day at RIAT which was busy for both variants of the F-35 with three aircraft flying and awesome rehearsals that included hovering and vertical landing...
.

first F-35s in the UK land at Fairford for RIAT 2016 and display at RAF Marham

The much anticipated arrival of the F-35 to British shores should have taken place at least two years ago, but due to an accident the whole fleet was temporarily grounded, and then restricted to limited range flights. Fast forward to June 27th 2016. Two USMC and one RAF F-35B's are set to make the transatlantic crossing to the UK for the first time. The mission is scrubbed for 48hrs...as tankers needed for the crossing go tech two days in a row! Finally on June 29th the three aircraft make it to the UK landing at RAF Fairford in less than ideal weather! The following day three USAF F-35A's make the same trip. The weather only marginally better yielded this set of images..

and via Steve Cooke and Ben Howarth

below; from the RAF Marham FB page

Also on this blog  - F-35 display and hover at Fairford. I say 'hi' to Will Andreotta F-35 'Heritage display team' pilot