US bombers withdrawn from RAF Fairford base after alleged terror plot | American military

The US Air Force has withdrawn its bombers from RAF Fairford following an investigation into an alleged planned terrorist attack on the base.

The bombers were redeployed to their original bases in the United States, according to a Pentagon official who was not authorized to discuss sensitive military moves and spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity.

A Pentagon spokesperson said: “While operational security has prevented us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can now acknowledge that all US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States. »

At least 10 of 12 B-1 bombers took off from Fairford on Sunday, some of which arrived on rotation less than a week ago, underscoring the haste of the departure and the apparent importance the United States places on the threat.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense had no immediate comment, although the rapid pace of the withdrawal will increase concerns in the area around the RAF base in Gloucestershire.

According to U.S. media reports, the withdrawal appears to be a response to new or renewed security concerns regarding base security.

A New York Times report said: “US officials declined Sunday to elaborate on the nature of the new information that led to the rapid withdrawal of Air Force bombers, some of which had just arrived last week as part of a normal rotation of forces.

“A U.S. official said the new information was part of the same threat warnings that surfaced three weeks ago, but specific details and a sense of urgency have increased over the past 24 hours, alarming commanders.”

A British-Iranian national was arrested in central London last week on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack, following a security incident at RAF Fairford in late September. A total of six people were taken into custody and released on bail during the investigation.

British authorities linked the incident to Tehran. Iran has denied any involvement.

RAF Fairford, located 100 miles west of London, was used by US bombers during decades of conflict in the Middle East.

Its use in recent months came after then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran.

The US military still maintains a significant presence in the Middle East. On Thursday, a U.S. official said the recently deployed aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt as well as the USS Makin Island Amphibious Readiness Group – a group of ships together carrying more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines – were heading to the region. The official said the move could result in three carriers in the region as soon as the end of October.