Latest news with #militaryplanes
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Pro-Palestine protesters 'break into Brize Norton and damage two military planes with red paint' in huge security breach
Pro-Palestine protesters have claimed responsibility for breaking into RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military planes in a shocking breach of security. Palestine Action said two of its activists infiltrated Britain's largest RAF base and sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft before escaping without being caught. Shocking footage shared by the group this morning shows protesters storming across the RAF runway in Oxfordshire on electric scooters. The bodycam footage then shows them spraying red paint into the turbine engines of the air-to-air refuelling tankers which the RAF say are 'vital for enhancing the operational reach and flexibility of Britain's military air power'. Palestine Action claim to have used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray the paint, while they say they caused further damage with crowbars. The activists said they sprayed red paint across the runway and left a Palestine flag behind before fleeing the base undetected. The alleged protest will raise huge questions over security at the RAF base at a time when the world is teetering on the brink with war raging in the Middle East and state threats from both Russia and Iran. Brize Norton is the largest RAF base in the country with approximately 5,800 service members, 300 civilian staff and 1,200 contractors. Voyagers, described as a 'petrol station in the sky', can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and are used to refuel fighter and compatible heavy aircraft. RAF Brize Norton hold a core fleet of nine voyagers, while five others are available for commercial use but can be recalled for military purposes. The RAF is reportedly planning to send Voyager aircraft to the Middle East as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates. One of the Voyagers, which has a Union Jack on its tail, has previously been used to transport prime ministers and Royal Family members to engagements abroad. A Palestine Action spokesperson said: 'Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US/Israeli fighter jets. 'Britain isn't just complicit, it's an active participant in the Gaza genocide and war crimes across the Middle East. 'By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people.'
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Planespotters gather at airbase as jets arrive
Planespotters have gathered outside an airbase after a dozen jets rarely seen outside of the United States landed. F-22 Raptor fighter jets, which are exclusively flown by the US Air Force (USAF), arrived at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Wednesday night. It comes as at least 30 other US military planes were moved from bases in the United States to Europe over the past few days as Israel and Iran continue to attack each other. A United States defence official said they were unable to provide details about the deployment of aircraft due to "operational security". RAF Lakenheath hosts the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing and is the largest US fighter operation in Europe. The wing employs four combat-ready fighter squadrons of F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35A Lighting II aircraft. Planespotters at RAF Lakenheath reported an increase in activity over the past few days with the F-22 jets' arrival as well as 16 F-35As leaving on Monday. They expressed excitement at being able to see the aircraft but also concern at the reasons for their appearance. John Millard travelled to the viewing area to get a look for himself and said it was often "jam packed" when news of incoming jets breaks. "It's one of their stealth fighter bombers and of course in coming here there's been a lot of interest," he said of the F-22 jets. "Here at Lakenheath they've got the F-15s and F-35s so it's unusual for another fighter bomber to actually arrive." The base is currently closed due to a United States holiday and the jets were expected to be leaving again in the next few days. "Unfortunately we don't know which runway they'll be using, it all depends on the wind," Mr Millard continued. "But yes, I'll come along." Mick Coppin travelled from Lincolnshire to the base to watch the activity. "It's quite exciting for me today hearing that news - we now hope to see some F-22 Raptors because they're awesome planes," he said. "We don't know the reason there here... but just to see one would be spectacular. "It's the sheer power and you don't see them outside the USA, to see them here would be wonderful." Mr Coppin believed the arrival of the F-22s "should concern us all", but he added there was "nothing we can do about it". Steve Huntley came up from Essex and got to the viewing point early. "I've been going to many airshows over the years and never seen one and the fact that 12 (F-22s) arrived here last night is really something," he said. "It's a very rare sight." Mr Huntley did not believe it was something to be worried about. "I think it's more of a deterrent," he added. "They're the best fighter aircraft in the world... they're an amazing aircraft and for an enthusiast it's like Christmas." Tanker aircrafts have also been spotted arriving at nearby RAF Mildenhall. The 352nd Special Operations Wing, based at the site, performs specialised operations and uses advanced aircraft, tactics and air fuelling techniques to transport and resupply military forces. An United States official told the BBC: "Due to operational security, we cannot provide details about the deployment of aircraft, personnel, or capabilities." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. US moves 30 jets as Iran attack speculation grows Trump approves Iran attack plan but has not made final decision, reports say Your questions answered on the Israel-Iran conflict RAF Lakenheath
BBC News
19-06-2025
- BBC News
RAF Lakenheath planespotters gather as F-22 fighter jets arrive
Planespotters have gathered outside an airbase after a dozen jets rarely seen outside of the United States landed.F-22 Raptor fighter jets, which are exclusively flown by the US Air Force (USAF), arrived at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Wednesday comes as at least 30 other US military planes were moved from bases in the United States to Europe over the past few days as Israel and Iran continue to attack each other.A United States defence official said they were unable to provide details about the deployment of aircraft due to "operational security". RAF Lakenheath hosts the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing and is the largest US fighter operation in wing employs four combat-ready fighter squadrons of F-15 Strike Eagles and F-35A Lighting II at RAF Lakenheath reported an increase in activity over the past few days with the F-22 jets' arrival as well as 16 F-35As leaving on Monday. They expressed excitement at being able to see the aircraft but also concern at the reasons for their appearance. John Millard travelled to the viewing area to get a look for himself and said it was often "jam packed" when news of incoming jets breaks."It's one of their stealth fighter bombers and of course in coming here there's been a lot of interest," he said of the F-22 jets."Here at Lakenheath they've got the F-15s and F-35s so it's unusual for another fighter bomber to actually arrive."The base is currently closed due to a United States holiday and the jets were expected to be leaving again in the next few days."Unfortunately we don't know which runway they'll be using, it all depends on the wind," Mr Millard continued."But yes, I'll come along." Mick Coppin travelled from Lincolnshire to the base to watch the activity."It's quite exciting for me today hearing that news - we now hope to see some F-22 Raptors because they're awesome planes," he said."We don't know the reason there here... but just to see one would be spectacular."It's the sheer power and you don't see them outside the USA, to see them here would be wonderful."Mr Coppin believed the arrival of the F-22s "should concern us all", but he added there was "nothing we can do about it". Steve Huntley came up from Essex and got to the viewing point early."I've been going to many airshows over the years and never seen one and the fact that 12 (F-22s) arrived here last night is really something," he said."It's a very rare sight."Mr Huntley did not believe it was something to be worried about."I think it's more of a deterrent," he added."They're the best fighter aircraft in the world... they're an amazing aircraft and for an enthusiast it's like Christmas." Tanker aircrafts have also been spotted arriving at nearby RAF 352nd Special Operations Wing, based at the site, performs specialised operations and uses advanced aircraft, tactics and air fuelling techniques to transport and resupply military forces. An United States official told the BBC: "Due to operational security, we cannot provide details about the deployment of aircraft, personnel, or capabilities." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
Look inside incredible UK plane graveyard where war-ready fighter jets are left to ROT including 1950s Hawker Hunter
AN EXPLORER has revealed the remnants of an abandoned ex-military plane field – including a rotting 1951 Hawker Hunter jet. Abandoned UK, as they're known online, came across the site while out on a sunny walk. 6 6 6 They have visited other plane graveyards before, though this one, located in Scampton, Lincolnshire, left them particularly shocked. Left behind were iconic British fighter jets that would've been used in wars; dating back to as far as 1951. And the explorer described what he saw to be 'like something out of a film'. In a clip, which has racked up 11,000 views, he trawls through a tall – and unkempt – field of wheat. As he makes his way to the other side, though, a series of impressive jets are shown, partially covered with grey tarpaulin. The aircrafts appear to be in immaculate condition, until he takes a closer look and spots signs of rotting. Confused by why they've been left behind, he looks through the windows at all the controls and spec inside. The engines, which are rusted and need replacing, have a date of last inspection – with one dating back to 1972. As he claims to have asked the field owner for permission to access the grounds, he was allowed inside one of the aircraft's cockpits. The explorer is shocked to find hidden knives, noting that it's 'crazy'. He says the area isn't just notable for its planes, though. The nearby RAF base used to be the home of The Dambusters, a group of Royal Air Force aircrews, who were known for their raid on German dams during World War II. 'These planes have no use now, but they were used for parts until the nearby airbase closed,' he told What's The Jam. 'There was also a Buccaneer and a Phantom. 6 'It was part of a farmer's field where they are stored and it was quite sad to see the aircrafts out in the open with no protection. 'There wasn't [much] damage, but they were rotting. 'Some still had their controls, some were stripped. 'The atmosphere was very calm and it looked like something out of a film.' He says that a lot of people mistake the planes for being on the RAF's Scampton base, in which only officials are allowed to access. These planes, though, are actually stored on a nearby private field. The explorer added: 'It's such a shame for these ex-military aircrafts to be left with no future. 'They'd be better off in a museum, than in a field left to all weathers.' 6
