News

Nuclear bombers in the skies above Wales as tensions over Ukraine intensify

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2022

US AIR FORCE B-52 bombers were spotted yesterday morning (Thursday February 10) flying over Wales, heading for RAF Fairford.

Four B-52s set off from their Minot Air Base in North Dakota around 2am GMT.

RAF Fighter Jets joined the B-52s as they arrived in the UK ahead of a busy schedule of training missions with the European Command and US Strategic Command.

Two planes through over North Wales, and a further two took a more southerly route, flying close to Pembrokeshire.

B-52’s are deploying to the UK shortly as part of a ‘Bomber Task Force’ training mission to “familiarise themselves” with European airspace.

The strategic bombers, support equipment, and personnel from the 69^th Bomber Squadron have arrived at RAF Fairford after a transatlantic flight from Minot Air Force Base, N.D, in the latest iteration of the regular Bomber Task Force Missions.

Taking place since 2018, what the Bomber Task Force deployments provide is the opportunity for the RAF to continuously improve interoperability with the United States Air Force, as well as offer RAF pilots valuable training experience with near-peer capabilities.

The RAF says they “throughout their deployment, the United States Air Force aircraft will be based at RAF Fairford providing an ideal staging location for further integration with NATO allies. ”

Amazing sight: B-52’s are deploying to the UK (Image: AP)

“The protection of the UK Homeland through Quick Reaction Alert is just one example of national defence that is woven into maintaining regional, collective defence through this close partnership with NATO allies.”

Air Vice-Marshal Robinson, Air Officer Commanding 11 Group, said: “The RAF has a long, proud history of working alongside the United States Air Force that continues to see shared training, exchange tours and close operational partnerships to this day.”

“This close friendship was celebrated recently with a joint UK/US flypast celebrating 80 years of collaboration with one of US Bomber Command’s oldest units, the 8^th Air Force.”

“The Bomber Task Force missions allow UK/US to challenge each other toward continuous growth and development as part of NATO and supporting the NATO Air Policing mission.”

“The joint missions reinforce the commitment of both nations to NATO and collective defence, the most recent sortie providing a demonstration of the critical ability for a timely and coordinated response to defending the Euro-Atlantic area and, if required, the ability to reach forward locations.”

En route the US Bombers integrated with UK Joint Terminal Attack Controllers at both Cape Wrath in the North of Scotland and RAF Holbeach Air Weapons Range in the East of England, conducting bilateral Close Air Support training.

The mission focused on enhancing readiness and interoperability for the controllers responsible for coordinating airstrikes to support ground forces.

Colonel Bolam, Commanding Officer Joint Air Liaison Organisation, said: “Today’s training provides a valuable opportunity for the UK JTACs.”

“Working with different nationalities and a variety of aircraft types ensures the UK remains a world leading force in Close Air Support and Air Land Integration.”

“Training with B-52s further cements Joint Training Tactics and Procedures and ensures the UK can safely and accurately deliver Air-to-Ground fires alongside our NATO allies.”

News

Major incident declared after bus crash in Carmarthenshire

Published

18 minutes ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Emergency services at scene as A484 closed near Parc y Bocs

A MAJOR incident has been declared in Kidwelly following a collision involving a bus.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were dealing with the incident on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs.

The road has been closed between the Kidwelly roundabout and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are being urged to find alternative routes.

Emergency services are at the scene, and members of the public have been asked to stay away from the area until further notice.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Officers are dealing with a major incident in Kidwelly, following a report of a collision involving a bus on the A484 near the Kidwelly roundabout.

“The road is closed between the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog, and motorists are asked to find alternative routes.

“Emergency services are on scene and members of the public are asked to stay away from the area until further notice.”

More information is expected to follow.

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

14 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

19 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.