[Salgak]

Logistics. B-52s have been operating out of RAF Fairford for DECADES: we deployed there with my old squadron (the long-since-deactivated 69 BMS) back in the 1980s. The runway is long enough and has sufficient weight capability for heavy B-52 ops. "Heavies" (i.e. B-52/ C-5/ C-17/ KC-10) need far more robust runways than do fighters or other smaller aircraft. It's a simple matter of civil engineering.

Also, it's VISIBLE. There's the psychological effect of American B-52s deploying forward. Even if the REAL raids come out of places like Diego Garcia, with no media presence, no civilian protesters, etc. . .

That's the unclassified, common-sense answers, anyway. . .

[Cap Huff]

"Logistics."

That makes sense to me. It is simply intriguing to think about whom we are trying to influence psychologically.

[demlosers]

Logistics. B-52s have been operating out of RAF Fairford for DECADES: ....

And they get their Ammo for those birds from RAF Welford right down the street. Where millions upon millions of Net Explosive Wieght comprising of MK 80 series GP bombs are located, until many were retrograded back to the U.S. in the early ninties.
Now, theres probably just millions pounds of explosives.