The U.S. military has returned all B-1B Lancer bombers from the RAF Fairford base in England following an investigation into an alleged plot targeting the facility.
Key facts
- •The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the withdrawal of all bombers from RAF Fairford on Sunday.
- •Six suspects, including a dual British-Iranian national, were arrested in connection with an alleged plot near the base.
- •The B-1B Lancer bombers had been used for U.S. strikes against Iran since March.
- •All six suspects have been released on bail and have not been charged.
- •The Pentagon stated the bombers remain capable of conducting long-range missions from U.S. territory.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed on Sunday that all bombers stationed at the Royal Air Force Fairford base in Gloucestershire have returned to their home bases in the United States. The withdrawal follows the arrest of six individuals in connection with an alleged plot targeting the base and U.S. personnel. While the Pentagon cited operational security for the move, the decision comes amid ongoing investigations by British counter-terrorism police into potential foreign involvement.
Investigation into Alleged Plot
British authorities arrested five British nationals near the base on September 27 following reports of suspicious vehicles. A sixth suspect, a dual British-Iranian citizen, was arrested in London the following Thursday. All six individuals have been released on bail without charge, a decision that Washington has publicly criticized. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the release, citing the strict bail conditions imposed on the suspects.
Security and Operational Context
U.S. intelligence officials reportedly identified an Iran-linked plot to target bombers and personnel at the base, allegedly involving recruitment of British citizens by an individual connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. While Prime Minister Burnham stated there are strong indications of Iranian involvement, Tehran has denied any role. British officials have not officially concluded that Iran was behind the incident, and some have questioned the level of sophistication attributed to the plot.
Military Deployment Status
Until recently, approximately 12 B-1B Lancer bombers were stationed at RAF Fairford, a forward operating location for the U.S. Air Force's Global Strike Command. These aircraft had been utilized for strikes against Iran since March. The Pentagon emphasized that the withdrawal does not impact its global strike capability, noting that the bombers remain on alert to conduct missions from U.S. territory.
Timeline
- March 2026U.S. bombers began flying missions from RAF Fairford.
- September 27Five men were arrested near the base following reports of suspicious vehicles.
- Late SeptemberSix B-52 bombers returned to the United States.
- Thursday (October)A sixth suspect, a dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in London.
- SundayThe Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal of all remaining bombers from the base.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Jerusalem Post, MercoPress.
