The Pentagon confirmed on Oct. 4 that all U.S. long-range bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to home bases in the United States after a police operation near the airfield. Six suspects—five British nationals and one dual Iranian-British national—were detained and released on bail while a counterterrorism investigation continues. U.S. media reported officials were aware of an alleged Iran-linked plot to target aircraft and personnel; Tehran has denied involvement.
Pentagon Pulls All U.S. Bombers From RAF Fairford After Suspected Iran-Linked Plot
The Pentagon said Sunday it has withdrawn all of the U.S. long-range bombers based at Britain's RAF Fairford in the wake of a suspected terrorism incident at the base last week. U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua Hoskins
Oct. 4 (UPI) — The United States has withdrawn its contingent of long-range bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following a police operation tied to a suspected Iran-linked plot, U.S. military officials said.
In a statement distributed to multiple media outlets, the Pentagon confirmed that every bomber deployed to RAF Fairford has redeployed to its home stations in the United States. Officials said operational security prevented real-time confirmation of movements, but they acknowledged the redeployment after the fact.
"While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real-time, we can acknowledge now that all U.S. bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States," U.S. military officials said.
The BBC reported that the British Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the Pentagon announcement. RAF Fairford was the focus of a police operation last week after five men traveling in vans were arrested near the base—an incident Prime Minister Andy Burnham said showed "strong indications" of Iranian involvement.
Six suspects in total were detained—five at the base and a sixth arrested in London. Authorities identified the five arrested near the base as British nationals from London and the sixth as a dual Iranian-British national. All have been released on bail while British counterterrorism police continue their investigation.
The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. officials had information about a plot allegedly linked to Iran to strike aircraft and personnel at the base. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement. RAF Fairford has been used by U.S. forces for long-range operations in the region, and officials said the withdrawal was a precautionary measure while investigations and security reviews proceed.
Police said the suspects were initially held on suspicion of violating explosives-possession laws but were later released as part of what officials described as an "investigative decision ... grounded in experience and strategy." British counterterrorism units say their probe is ongoing and have not yet disclosed further operational details.
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