Washington: The United States has withdrawn B-1 bomber aircraft from the UK’s Fairford Air Base due to fears of a potential attack on the facility.
According to a US Department of Defense official, the US has recalled all its bomber aircraft from the UK’s Fairford Air Base. This development follows the arrest of five individuals suspected of plotting an attack on the base.
The US official stated that while the timely confirmation of asset and troop movements was not possible due to operational security concerns, it can now be confirmed that all US bombers deployed at RAF Fairford have returned to their home bases in the United States.
The official added that US bomber crews—operating aircraft such as the B-1, B-2, and B-52—remain ready to strike precise targets anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice. These capabilities include the ability to launch missions from US soil, complete the objective, and return.
Meanwhile, the five individuals arrested near the British airbase have been released on bail, and Iran has denied any involvement in the alleged plot.
British investigators discovered petrol in the suspects’ vans, though no explosives were recovered. Nevertheless, British authorities state that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
It is worth noting that a dozen B-1 bombers had been deployed at Fairford Air Base, located northwest of London; these aircraft had been utilized in US strikes against Iran.
