US bombers leave RAF Fairford as No 10 says base is safe

The Pentagon and US European Command say every US bomber deployed to RAF Fairford has returned to its home station in the United States. Downing Street says the Gloucestershire base remains safe, and its spokesperson declined to comment on another country’s military decision. [6] [3]

Air & Space Forces Magazine reports that 12 B-1B bombers left Fairford on 4 October. The airfield has no permanently assigned US Air Force aircraft, so the confirmed change is the departure of its deployed bomber contingent, not the closure of the base. The military’s public confirmation did not give a reason for the move. [6]

American officials told The Wall Street Journal that security concerns about suspected plots against Fairford drove the decision. [5] Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on 30 September that there was a strong indication Iran had played a part in the incident near the base on 27 September. Iran denied involvement. [3]

Police reported finding no improvised explosive devices in the three vehicles they examined, but recovered petrol. The five men arrested near the base on 27 September were released on police bail and remain under investigation. Police initially described possible activity on behalf of a foreign state as one line of inquiry and said they were keeping an open mind. Their investigation continues. [9] [10]

Reuters reports that Britain’s permission to use Fairford covered only strikes on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. London had refused permission for offensive strikes from British bases. [4]