Donald Trump has said there were “some threats” that led the United States to pull bombers from a UK base, adding that the military aircraft “didn’t fly out by accident” from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Pentagon confirms redeployment
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday (4 October) that all U.S. aircraft stationed at the base have been redeployed to their home stations across the Atlantic. The decision follows the arrest of six individuals over the past week in connection with an alleged terror plot targeting the military facility.
According to reports in The New York Times, U.S. officials stated the redeployment - which involved aircraft previously engaged in strikes against Iran - was ordered after more specific threat intelligence regarding the base came to light over the weekend.
Trump responds to questions
Earlier today (October 5) the US secretary of state Marco Rubio had sought to play down the withdrawal of the planes after suggestions the move was linked to security concerns. The top diplomat would not link the departure of the jets to a recent suspected terror plot targeting the base, reports the Press Association.
But asked as he left the White House on Monday if the planes had been moved in response to a threat, Mr Trump said: “Yeah, I think we can say that. They didn’t fly out by accident.
“No, but there were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy.
“But why should we keep them there? So we moved them around a little bit, not very far.”
Downing Street insists base is safe
Downing Street has insisted RAF Fairford is safe following reports the US has withdrawn bombers stationed at the base over security concerns. Asked earlier today whether the base was safe, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Yes.”
The spokesman said he would not comment on “foreign nations’ military operations”, but added the Defence Secretary had said last week “we have tried and tested approaches to defend our bases around the country and throughout the world”.
He added: “I would just point you to the president’s words last week, where he praised our police, defence and security services in relation to RAF Fairford.”
