US B-1 bombers return home from RAF Fairford
The Pentagon confirmed all deployed aircraft had returned to the United States, without stating why they were redeployed.
All US B-1 bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations in the United States, the Pentagon confirmed. It said operational security had prevented it from confirming the aircraft’s movements in real time.
The announcement followed a security incident near the base that led to evacuations at 85 nearby homes. Police were called after a local farmer reported suspicious activity involving vans and masked men.
Investigators found petrol in vans linked to the incident but no explosives, according to National Counter Terrorism Policing head Lawrence Taylor. Five London-based men arrested in connection with the incident were released on bail.
The Pentagon did not give a reason for the bombers’ return or say it was linked to the incident. The motive remains unclear.
Britain gave the US permission in March to use RAF Fairford for specific defensive operations into Iran. Iran’s embassy in London denied speculation that Tehran was involved in the incident.
