Commemorating the Mighty Eighth Air Force

On 1 February 1942 the USAAF Eighth Air Force was formed, bringing the American contribution to Allied war effort to England. Exactly 80 years later, a commemorative flight was organized over British soil to mark this fact.

For the occasion a mixed British/US formation flew from RAF Marham to RAF Lakenheath, to IWM Duxford, to Wimpole Hall, to Cambridge American Cemetery and then to RAF Mildenhall. Originally a six ship formation was planned, consisting of two USAF B-1B Lancers, two F-15 Strike Eagles (USAF 494th FS, 48th Fighter Wing) and two F-35Bs (RAF/RN, 207sq).

On the day itself only one B-1B (serial 86-0129) belonging to the 28th Bomb Wing from Ellsworth Air Force Base (SD), F-15Es 91-0301 and 00-3004, and RAF F-35B ZM158/024 were present, plus an RAF camera ship, Hawk XX191. (Photo: RAF)