US Removes B-1 Bombers from British Base After Arrests Near RAF Fairford

Reuters

B‑1B Lancer bomber is parked at the RAF Fairford airbase.

The United States has removed its B-1 bombers from a British air base, a week after five men were arrested nearby on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.

The aircraft had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the preferred European base for US bombers located about 90 miles (145km) west of London. The base had recently been used to support US strikes on Iran. A Pentagon official said on Sunday that the bombers had returned to their home bases in the United States, according to Reuters.

The five men arrested by British police have since been released on bail, while the circumstances surrounding the incident remain largely unexplained. A sixth man, a dual British-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, has also been released on bail, according to Reuters.

As one of the US Air Force’s few European airfields capable of accommodating heavy bombers, RAF Fairford has historically played an important role in US military operations in the Middle East, although bombers are not permanently stationed there.

During the current conflict, the US had permission to use Fairford only for strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

In the early hours of 27 September, five British men in their 20s were arrested after being seen running into fields from three white vans parked near the base. Police said no explosive devices were found, although a quantity of petrol was discovered.

The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the withdrawal of the aircraft, said the bombers had returned to the US because of security concerns linked to suspected plots targeting the base.



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