US Withdraws All Bombers from UK’s RAF Fairford Airbase

The United States has withdrawn all its bomber aircraft from RAF Fairford, the British airbase that has been a focal point of counterterrorism police investigations in the UK. A Foreign Ministry official confirmed on Sunday that all bombers have been moved from the British airbase to the US. The reason for the withdrawal has not been disclosed. However, the move was reportedly triggered by a major incident on September 27 near Gloucestershire airport, where three “suspicious vehicles” were found.

Initially, five individuals were arrested near the airbase on suspicion of terrorist activity but were later released on bail. Subsequently, British-Iranian nationals who were also arrested have been released on bail. Whitehall sources did not deny that Washington’s decision came in response to the incidents at RAF Fairford. They clarified to the BBC that the decision was a military one, not political. It was taken at an “operational level,” and the US military informed their British counterparts accordingly.

The UK Ministry of Defence has yet to comment on the matter. Shortly after the incident, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham indicated there was a “strong indication” of Iran’s involvement but did not provide further details. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement in the incident. The arrests follow early morning reports of vehicles approaching the airbase, prompting the detention of five men aged between 23 and 25. All were British citizens residing in London and were suspected of involvement with explosives and preparation for terrorist acts.

Based on “experience and strategy,” the police stated that those arrested were later released on bail following a “review decision.” Another individual, 25 years old, suspected of planning terrorist activities, was apprehended in London on Thursday but was also released on bail by the counterterrorism police on Saturday. The US Air Force has operated the RAF airbase as a “forward operating location” for decades. In recent months, following UK approval of US requests to use the base for defensive strikes against Iran, US bombers have been flying from there to the Middle East.