US bombers withdrawn from RAF Fairford after new threats against base – report

The US Air Force reportedly withdrew all its bombers from RAF Fairford because of new threats against the base in Gloucestershire following a suspected terror plot.

The bombers have been sent back to their home bases in the US, with at least three of the planes landing in South Dakota by Sunday, US officials who wished to remain anonymous told the The New York Times.

One official said the new information was part of the same threat warnings from three weeks ago but that more specific details emerged in the past 24 hours, the outlet reported.

It added that some planes and crew left while refuelling aircraft were still being arranged to support the flights because of the urgency of the situation.

On Saturday, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) said a sixth man arrested in connection with events at RAF Fairford had been released on bail.

The 25-year-old, a dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006.

Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism and then bailed.

Three suspicious vans were spotted near the military site last weekend.

A Pentagon official said on Sunday: “US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements.

“While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.

“The airmen that operate America’s bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States – anywhere, anytime.”

Senior CTP national co-ordinator Vicki Evans previously said the investigation was “hugely complex”, adding that specialist teams were “interrogating multiple lines of inquiry”.

She said: “As we’ve made clear, we’re looking at all possible angles – including possible foreign state involvement.”

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident.

Andy Burnham (Peter Byrne/PA)

PA Wire

RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.

Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot.

Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the “Iranian-sponsored attack” shortly before Britain’s announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Earlier in the week, US President Donald Trump said he was “disappointed” after the five men were released on bail.

He told reporters: “We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.

“Well, they didn’t let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven’t watched closely… they should not have done that.”