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The United States has withdrawn all B-1 bombers deployed to RAF Fairford in southwest England following reports of new security threats linked to the British airbase, while the UK government has insisted the facility remains safe.
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft had returned to their home stations in the United States.
“We can acknowledge now that all U.S. bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States,” a Pentagon official said.
The official added that operational security had prevented Washington from confirming the movement of its aircraft and personnel while the redeployment was taking place.
The withdrawal follows a security scare at the base on September 27, when police were called after a local farmer reported several men and vans involved in what was described as suspicious activity near the facility.
The incident prompted a counter-terrorism investigation and the evacuation of residents from 85 nearby homes. Investigators later said no explosives were found inside the vehicles, although counter-terrorism police confirmed that a quantity of petrol had been recovered.
An unidentified US official told CNN that the bombers were moved following an unspecified “new threat”, describing the development as a “real world incident”. The official also reportedly described the decision to return the aircraft directly to the United States, rather than transfer them to another regional base, as unusual.
The New York Times, citing two US officials, reported that commanders received information concerning a possible Iran-backed plot targeting RAF Fairford. One official said the latest intelligence was connected to threat warnings that had surfaced several weeks earlier but had become more urgent.
The British government has rejected suggestions that the base is unsafe. Asked directly about security at RAF Fairford, the prime minister’s official spokesman responded: “Yes,” adding that Britain has established procedures to defend military bases at home and abroad.
Security around Fairford had reportedly been increased before the withdrawal.
British authorities have also investigated whether Iran had any role in the September incident. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications that Iran played a part”, an allegation Tehran rejected.
Iran’s embassy in London said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” speculation linking the country to the incident.
Six London-based British men arrested over the September security scare, including a British-Iranian dual national, were later released on bail. US President Donald Trump criticised that decision, telling reporters, “I wouldn’t have done that,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that a “foreign actor” was involved.
RAF Fairford has played a significant role in recent US military operations. Britain authorised Washington in March to use the base for specific defensive operations involving Iran, and US bombers and other military aircraft have since operated from the facility. Fairford is the only airbase on mainland Britain currently used for such US bomber operations.
The September incident began after a farmer near the village of Whelford reported three vans blocking a road close to the base and masked men leaving the area. Aerial footage later showed barrels inside the vehicles, while at least one van appeared to carry a fake company logo and telephone number designed to resemble those of a legitimate diesel delivery business.
