The United States has withdrawn all its bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, sending the aircraft back to their home stations in the US. This decision was made following a suspected terrorist plot targeting the British airbase. The Pentagon confirmed that the redeployed fleet included B-1 bombers, while other reports mentioned B-2 and B-52 aircraft had also been operating from the facility.
The withdrawal comes after six people were arrested in connection with the investigation around the base. Five British men in their 20s were initially arrested on September 27 over suspected explosives offences and preparation of a terrorist act. A sixth suspect, a dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in London on October 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. All six have subsequently been released on bail while investigations continue.
The US military did not directly link the withdrawal to the suspected terror plot, citing operational security and routine global force-readiness requirements. A Pentagon statement said US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements. The service’s B-1, B-2 and B-52 crews remained capable of conducting precision strikes from the continental United States.
The development followed a major security operation at Fairford on September 27 after British police received reports of suspicious vehicles and individuals near the base. Five British men, aged between 23 and 25, were arrested in the Whelford area near the airbase on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. Counter Terrorism Policing later confirmed that the men were released on police bail but remained under investigation.
Police said extensive examinations of the vehicles found no improvised explosive devices, although a quantity of petrol was recovered. The investigation widened last Thursday, after counter-terrorism officers arrested a 27-year-old dual British-Iranian national in Westminster, London, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Another British was also questioned under caution, while two properties were searched.
RAF Fairford is a British-owned facility that has hosted US strategic bombers during major military operations. Its location and infrastructure make it an important forward operating location for American long-range aircraft. The investigation into the suspected terrorist plot is ongoing, with authorities maintaining heightened security around the facility.
The UK has previously warned Iran about hostile activities on British soil. The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns surrounding US military personnel and strategic assets stationed abroad.
Key points
- The US withdrew B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford following a suspected terrorist plot targeting the base.
- Six people were arrested in connection with the investigation, later released on bail.
- The incident raises concerns about the security of US personnel and strategic assets abroad.
