US Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack
The move could reduce short-term U.S. capacity to surge sorties against Iran, analysts said.
- On Sunday, at least 10 USAF B-1B Lancer bombers departed Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom, returning to bases in the United States. The Pentagon confirmed the redeployment.
- Twelve B-1B Lancer bombers had been stationed at Fairford since March, serving as a key launch point for strikes against Iran. The withdrawal follows an investigation into an alleged plot targeting the base.
- Police arrested five British nationals and one dual Iranian citizen regarding the alleged scheme. US officials claimed an individual linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps recruited the suspects, though British authorities have not confirmed this finding.
- The Defense Department stressed it remains on alert to employ "global strike capability" from US territory, noting the return does not eliminate long-range strike options. It remains unclear whether replacement aircraft will be sent to Fairford.
- Following the base's use in Iran operations, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials previously warned that facilities supporting US strikes could be considered legitimate targets. British investigations into the alleged plot and potential foreign state involvement are continuing.
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WASHINGTON.– The U.S. withdrew all the bombers it had deployed at RAF Fairford, a British air base used in operations against Iran and which remained at the center of an investigation by a terrorist plot. The planes returned to their home bases in U.S. territory, confirmed a Pentagon official. Aviation observers had recorded during the early days of the war with Iran dozens of B-52 and B-1 bomber movements from Fairford. On Sunday they detected …
Why Did the US Suddenly Withdraw Its Bombers From RAF Fairford?
On Oct. 4, the United States removed all bombers stationed at Royal Air Force Fairford from active service and sent them back to their home bases in America. The Pentagon and the U.S. European Command did not announce it until after the planes had left, and they provided no explanation. The number of aircraft that...
What is the intelligence behind the US withdrawal from RAF Fairford?
The United States says withdrawing its bombers from RAF Fairford is only an ‘abundance of caution’ over what Iran might be doing, and US officials told The New York Times that the redeployment had been ordered after more details about threats to the base emerged at the weekend.
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