A major incident has been declared near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following the arrest of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. Homes in the nearby village of Whelford have been evacuated while an Army bomb disposal team examines a number of vehicles.
Armed police and specialist emergency crews have been deployed to the scene. Gloucestershire Police have said they believe the incident is "contained". The cordoned area is manned by armed police and is located near the site of RAF Fairford.
What is RAF Fairford?
RAF Fairford is a major military airbase in Gloucestershire, which also hosts the US Air Force. It has recently hosted US B-1B bombers, which have flown operations against Iran. However, police have not said the arrests are connected to the airbase.
The base was opened in January 1944, during WW2, and was originally used by British and American forces preparing for D-Day. In 1950, it was transferred to the US Air Force for strategic bomber operations. A huge 10,000ft runway was built, making it capable of handling some of the largest military aircraft in the world.
Where is RAF Fairford?
RAF Fairford is located in Gloucestershire, near Whelford. The location is a major reason for its continued importance. RAF Fairford has one of the country's longest military runways.
The Ministry of Defence describes the airfield as a "strategic" establishment and says its unique capabilities mean it can handle aircraft no other British airfield can. It is also well placed for US forces operating across Europe and towards the Middle East. The base is used as a forward operating location, meaning aircraft can deploy there temporarily from their permanent American bases.
US bomber operations
RAF Fairford has US strategic bombers, including B-52s and B-1B Lancers. The US regularly sends bomber aircraft to the base for training and operations. Bomber Task Force deployments have taken place repeatedly since 2014, with aircraft training alongside British and other NATO forces.
The base has now played a role in US military operations against Iran. In March, the UK Government said it had agreed to US requests to use British bases for "specific and limited defensive purposes" aimed at preventing Iranian missile attacks. US B-1 bombers subsequently deployed to Fairford.
The Ministry of Defence has stressed that permission for US use of British bases is considered on a case-by-case basis. Aircraft deployments are generally temporary, with rotations arriving for exercises, training or particular operations before returning to their home bases in America. For example, four B-52s deployed to Fairford in November 2024 before departing after completing their European mission.
