The U.S. military has withdrawn all bombers deployed to RAF Fairford in Britain and returned them to bases in the United States, days after British authorities launched an investigation into a suspected terrorist plot targeting the air base.
The Pentagon confirmed the redeployment Sunday but did not say whether the decision was directly connected to the alleged plot.
“While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real-time, 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,” the Pentagon said.
The aircraft included B-1B Lancer bombers. RAF Fairford, located in Gloucestershire in southwest England, has served as a major operating location for U.S. long-range bombers and has been used for missions connected to military operations against Iran.
The withdrawal comes about a week after five British men were arrested near the base on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and offenses under Britain’s Explosives Act.
Police inspected three vans connected to the suspects but found no explosives. The five men were subsequently released on bail while the investigation continued.
A sixth suspect, a dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in London on October 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with the investigation. He was also later released on bail.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there are “strong indications” that Iran played a role in the suspected plot, while stressing that the case remains the subject of a complex counterterrorism investigation.
Iran has denied involvement. Its embassy in London rejected allegations linking Tehran to the incident, while British authorities have not publicly released evidence establishing Iranian responsibility.
RAF Fairford has taken on increased strategic importance during the conflict with Iran. Earlier this year, former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer approved U.S. use of the facility for what the British government described as specific and limited defensive operations against Iran. Tehran condemned the decision.
Despite withdrawing the bombers, the Pentagon said the U.S. retains the ability to conduct long-range missions from American territory.
The U.S. military said its bomber force, including B-1, B-2 and B-52 aircraft, remains capable of carrying out precision global strikes from bases in the continental United States.
The suspected plot remains under investigation, and British authorities have not announced charges against any of the six people arrested in connection with the case.
