US Air Force stealth fighter fleet thunder through Lancashire skies for second night as Iran strikes loom
The roaring engines of the world's most advanced fighter jets startled residents as more American stealth fighters thundered over Lancashire last night.
A loud rumbling was heard for more than a minute as six F-22 Raptors operated by the US Air Force returned to the region at around 10.40pm, followed by two Boeing Stratotanker military refuelling planes.
The fleet of F-22s - the world’s most advanced fighter jets - boomed over the Fylde coast at around 27,000ft with their twin engines roaring over Cleveleys, Poulton and Preston as they made their way back to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
The two Stratotankers took the same route and were tracked returning to nearby RAF Mildenhall. Both airbases are operated by the US Air Force.
It was the second successive night for the US Air Force over Lancashire. On Tuesday evening, six F-22s and two Stratotankers entered UK airspace over the Fylde Coast on their return to US-operated airbases in Suffolk following a refuelling exercise over the Atlantic Ocean.
And more fighters are expected over Lancashire tonight, as the United States Air Force deploys more of its fleet to the UK ahead of potential combat operations in the Middle East.
The stealth fighters arrived at RAF Lakenheath last week and are reportedly part of the United States' build-up of military forces in the Middle East, as President Donald Trump considers waging further military action against Iran.