US bomber withdrawal from Fairford leaves threat rationale unclear
The Pentagon confirmed all US bombers at RAF Fairford had returned to the United States. Downing Street says the base is safe, while the reason for the move remains unconfirmed.
The US has withdrawn all its bombers from RAF Fairford, with the Pentagon confirming on Sunday that the aircraft had returned to their home stations. The force was thought to include about a dozen B-1s.
The move follows a 27 September incident in which police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base. Counter-terror police are investigating, and six men arrested on suspicion of terror offences have been released on bail.
The New York Times, citing two unnamed US officials, reported that commanders received new information about an alleged Iran-backed plot against the base. The report said specific details had emerged in the previous 24 hours. The alleged plot has not been independently established, and Tehran denies involvement.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to link the withdrawal directly to last week’s incident, describing movements of military assets as routine. He said the US retained full confidence in the security of its bases and that British authorities had been cooperative.
Downing Street said RAF Fairford was safe and declined to comment on foreign military operations. The BBC reported, citing Whitehall sources, that the withdrawal was an operational military decision communicated to British counterparts. Those sources did not dispute a connection to the incident.
RAF Fairford has served as a US Air Force forward operating location for decades. The available reporting does not establish whether the reported threat prompted the withdrawal or whether anyone arrested was involved in a plot.
