US pulls all bombers out of RAF Fairford after terror probe

All United States bombers stationed at RAF Fairford, a military base in Gloucestershire, England, have been returned to their home stations in America, a US official confirmed on Sunday. No explanation was given for the move.

The withdrawal follows a significant incident on 27 September, when police were alerted to three "suspicious vehicles" approaching the base, which is operated by the US Air Force. Five men aged between 23 and 25, all UK nationals from London, were arrested in the early hours on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They were subsequently released on bail, a decision police described as grounded in experience and strategy.

A sixth man, a 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, was arrested in London days later on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and was also released on bail, as counter terror police confirmed on Saturday.

Political reaction

Shortly after the incident, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were "strong indications" of Iranian involvement, though he gave no further details. Iran has firmly denied any connection to the incident.

Before the sixth arrest, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the episode "clearly involved the hands of a foreign actor," though he declined to elaborate further at the time. US President Donald Trump said he was surprised the five men had been released on bail, stating that the US knew everything about them and would not have freed them, while adding that the UK and US had cooperated very closely on the matter.

RAF Fairford has served as a forward operating base for the US Air Force for decades. In recent months, US bombers have flown missions from the base toward the Middle East after Britain approved an American request to use the site for defensive strikes on Iran. In July, Iran stated that any base used for aggression against its territory would be considered a legitimate target for its forces.