US pulls all bombers from RAF Fairford after new threat linked to suspected terror plot

Full report

A Pentagon official said Sunday (Oct 4): "all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States." Aircraft trackers showed B-1 Lancers departing through the day, with some reaching their home base in South Dakota the same day.

The move followed a week of arrests over a suspected plot targeting the base. On Sept 27, five British men in their mid-20s were arrested near the base after a farmer reported three suspicious vans and masked men in the Cotswolds; officers found quantities of petrol but no explosives. On Oct 1, a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian national was arrested in central London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006. All six have since been released on bail, and the investigation continues.

US officials told the New York Times the redeployment was ordered after more specific details about threats to the base emerged over the weekend. CNN cited an official describing a "real world" threat and noted it is unusual for bombers to be sent home rather than repositioned within the region.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week there were "strong indications" of Iranian involvement, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to "the hands of a foreign actor" and President Trump also pointed to Iran. Iran denied the claims as baseless and summoned the British ambassador. Downing Street insisted Monday that RAF Fairford is "safe," with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting citing "tried and tested" base defenses.