The US Air Force has withdrawn all its bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after new threats against the base, following a suspected terror plot. The planes have been sent back to their home bases in the US, with at least three landing in South Dakota by Sunday, according to US officials who spoke anonymously to The New York Times.
New threat details emerge
One official said the new information was part of the same threat warnings from three weeks ago, but that more specific details had emerged in the past 24 hours. Some planes and crew left while refuelling aircraft were still being arranged to support the flights because of the urgency of the situation.
On Saturday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said a sixth man arrested in connection with events at RAF Fairford had been released on bail. The 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism and then bailed.
Official confirmation and context
A Pentagon official confirmed on Sunday: “US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements. While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States. The airmen that operate America’s bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States – anywhere, anytime.”
Three suspicious vans were spotted near the military site last weekend. Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert.
Investigation and political reactions
Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans previously said the investigation was “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”. She said: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident.
RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot. Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” after the five men were released on bail. He told reporters: “We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go. Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that.”
