TOP ENDERS may have noticed some huge planes in our skies during the past few weeks.

The big birds, which have been delighting aviation enthusiasts, are USAF B-52 Stratofortress Bombers which have been operating from RAAF Base Darwin.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a US long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades.

It has been operated by the USAir Force since the 1950s.

The planes were in town as part of the Enhanced Air co-operation initiative.

Other hi-tech planes from southern air bases, including RAAF Base Williamtown, took part in the training exercise with up to 28 F/A-18 Hornets and other RAAF aircraft flying in the activity.

Commander of Air Combat Group, Air Commodore Mike Kitcher, told Australian Defence Magazine that conducting exercises with international counterparts helped provide crucial training for important for Australian aircrew.

“Exercises such as Lightning Focus give our aircrew experience flying in a busy airspace with multiple fast-jet aircraft,” AIRCDRE Kitcher told Australian Defence Magazine.

“Conducting these flying activities with our US partners is critical to our ongoing regional partnerships, and provides specific currency and qualification training for RAAF aircrew.”

An Air Force spokeswoman said they had appreciated the support received from the local Darwin community while it conducted the important training with our US partners.