Why you might see American B2 Stealth Bombers above you in the next few days

Plane spotters, as well as anyone interested in seeing one of the most expensive military aircrafts in the world, could be in for a treat this week.

Three B2 stealth bombers from the United States Air Force have flown into the West Country and are expected to stay here for a few days at least.

The planes landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire the early hours of Tuesday for a 'secret mission' and it comes after B52s were also seen over the county.

Speaking to Gloucestershire Live , they said: "The United States Air Force are deploying a variety of aircraft and support personnel to RAF Fairford during August and September 2019.

Stealth bomber over Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire police)

"While deployed to the UK the aircraft will conduct a series of training activities in Europe, these activities are long planned."

More details are to be revealed of the planes' movements at a press conference on Friday but it seems there maybe a good chance of seeing the unique planes in the coming days.

The pilots and support staff  from the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri have been arriving at Fairford over the last week.

It seems the planes and crew are here for a short deployment to show American strength and to support NATO and its partners in Europe.

RAF Fairford has long been an important strategic base for American forces. During the last B2 deployment the planes were involved in bombing raids in the Middle East.

Elliott Richmond has taken these photograps of a B52 flying over Bishop's Cleeve this morning (Elliott Richmond)

Although America is not engaged in any direct military at this time, the deployment of strategic bombers to Gloucestershire helps exercise RAF Fairford as a forward operating base for the unit, ensuring they are engaged,m and ready with credible force to assure, deter and defend the America and its allies.

Which planes are there?

As Gloucestershire Live has reported there are a number of different aircraft at the base.

• Three Northrop-Grumman B2 Spirits are currently in Gloucestershire which is believed to be the most seen in the county.
• All three used the call-sign DEATH on arrival - a traditional callsign used by the unit.
• B2s are incredibly rare, only 21 were ever made and only 19 remain in active service.
• Gloucestershire’s visitors are:
• 89-0168 "Spirit of New York”
• 89-0129 "Spirit of Georgia"
• 82-1071 "Spirit of Mississippi”
• Only Spirit of New York has been here before, in 2012.