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US Bombers Depart RAF Fairford Amid Security Concerns
Confirmed
In Short: All 12 American bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in the UK have returned to the US following security threats.
All 12 American B-1B Lancer bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom rapidly returned to the United States on October 4, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine and Al Jazeera. The bombers were deployed amid ongoing tensions with Iran and were withdrawn due to security concerns.
Air & Space Forces Magazine reported that the bombers were stationed at RAF Fairford to reduce flight times for operations in the Middle East. The open-source group Military Air Tracking Alliance recorded 29 separate bombers deployed to RAF Fairford at different points during the conflict.
Al Jazeera, citing a Pentagon spokesperson, confirmed that all US bombers redeployed to their home stations in the US. The spokesperson stated that operational security precluded real-time confirmation of the movement of assets and forces.
The BBC (United Kingdom) reported that tracking websites showed B-1 bombers flying out of RAF Fairford on Sunday, confirming the departure of the bombers. The BBC also noted that Iran had previously stated any base used for aggression against Iranian territory was a legitimate target for their forces.
Al Jazeera reported that the abrupt redeployment came after several 'terrorism-related' arrests were made outside RAF Fairford. A dual British-Iranian national was arrested in central London last week on suspicion of plotting a terror attack, following a security incident at RAF Fairford in late September.
The BBC reported that six men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act, before being released on bail. Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing Vicki Evans said the investigation was complex, with multiple lines of enquiry.
The Pentagon and U.S. European Command confirmed the redeployment in statements to Air & Space Forces Magazine. The statement read that the Airmen who operate America’s bomber force remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities from the continental United States.
Al Jazeera and Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that RAF Fairford has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East. The UK government initially granted the US 'defensive' access to bases, including RAF Fairford, in March.
What this adds
The sources have not established the exact nature of the security threat or the specific details of the arrests made outside RAF Fairford.
Background
The US Air Force's decision to withdraw its bombers from RAF Fairford underscores the heightened security concerns following the suspected terror threat.
What's confirmed
- U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran was behind the threat.
- “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,” the statement read.
What's still developing
- Still, stationing bombers at RAF Fairford sharply reduced the flight time U.S.
- RAF Fairford has served as a stopping point for US bombers participating in the war, which began more than seven months ago, on February 28.
- “The arrest in the UK was fantastic. Working with Britain – it was an amazing job. We had them under investigation,” Trump said of the suspects.
- Media reports emerged on Sunday that an urgent redeployment was under way, with B-1 bombers leaving RAF Fairford for the US.
- Roughly a dozen such aircraft had been based at RAF Fairford prior to the sudden departure.
- Aviation watchers such as the Military Air Tracking Alliance have observed dozens of B-52 and B-1 bombers operating out of RAF Fairford since the opening days of the Iran war.
- Days after the incident, and before the arrest of the sixth man, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Fox News that it "clearly involve[d] the hands of a foreign actor".