The U.S. Air Force has removed all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in England, a Pentagon official confirmed on Sunday, one week after several men were arrested there on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. The dozen B-1 bombers stationed at the base, located northwest of London, have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States.
“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 re-deployed to their home stations in the United States,” a Pentagon spokesman wrote in an email.
The aircraft had been used for U.S. strikes on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a mission the British government had allowed from the base.
Arrests and Allegations
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Wednesday that Britain has “strong indications” that Iran was involved in a suspected plot targeting the base. U.S. President Donald Trump said those involved had planned “big damage,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to the “hands of a foreign actor.” Iran called the accusations baseless and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the issue.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the aircraft were removed amid security concerns over suspected terror plots against the facility.
Sources: Air & Space Forces Magazine · Defense News