The U.S. Air Force has removed all 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in southwest England after a security scare at the base used to launch strikes on Iran. The planes left Sunday and returned to home stations in the United States.
The New York Times reported that commanders rushed the withdrawal after new warnings about an Iran-backed plot against the installation. Two U.S. officials said the move was urgent enough that some crews left while aerial refueling planes were still being scrambled. At least three bombers had landed at their home base in South Dakota by Sunday. The officials said the warning was tied to threat information from about three weeks earlier, but that details and urgency spiked in the previous 24 hours. U.S. European Command confirmed the bombers had left and declined to comment on any new warnings. The British Ministry of Defence also declined to comment on the movement.
Air & Space Forces Magazine quoted a Pentagon and European Command statement that all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had redeployed to home stations. The statement said bomber crews remain ready to strike from the continental United States. The magazine reported that the dozen B-1B Lancers left over the course of a day, and that six people have been arrested in connection with the episode. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there are strong indications Iran was behind the threat. Iranian officials have rejected any link.
The scare began before dawn on Sept. 27, when police were called to three suspicious vehicles near the Gloucestershire base. The BBC reported that five British men in their 20s, all from London, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and preparing a terrorist act. Dozens of homes were evacuated and a major incident was declared.
Counter Terrorism Policing said the men were released on bail with strict limits on their movement and contact with others, and that they remain under investigation. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said officers were looking at whether proxies, or people working for a foreign state, were involved.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
