MP says threat to RAF Mildenhall was not aimed at nearby town

More than 12 US Air Force aircraft have left RAF Mildenhall after a threat to the base, but not to the nearby town’s civilians or infrastructure, according to West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy, who said a defence minister briefed him on the threat.

Timothy said the minister told him the threat was not imminent and the aircraft move was precautionary. He added that information was being kept tightly controlled for national security reasons, while urging the Ministry of Defence and US Air Force to communicate as openly as possible with local residents.

The Associated Press has also reported that US officials said aircraft were moved from RAF Mildenhall because of a threat. Those officials did not disclose its nature or source. The Guardian reported that the Wall Street Journal had linked the threat to Iran, citing people familiar with the matter; British officials said there was no immediate or direct danger to the base or surrounding area.

The aircraft departures came weeks after the US withdrew bombers from RAF Fairford following a suspected Iran-linked security incident. Mildenhall, in Suffolk, is home to the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, the only permanent US air refuelling wing in Europe.