THE GULF WAR : A Bit of Britain

American bombers and their crews are back--and local businesses in the village of Fairford in the scenic Cotswold Hills of southwestern England are pleased. Despite protests by anti-war groups, villagers have welcomed the return this month of the U.S. Air Force and its B-52 bombers to mount raids on Iraq. FAIRFORD AIR BASE was mothballed last year when Washington cut its military spending abroad, but the Gulf War prompted the reopening because the base’s runway and facilities are ideal for the giant B-52s and refueling tankers. Said one pub owner: “This is a bit of a boost for everybody. An awful lot of people were thrown out of work by the closure of the base.”