US confirms bombers have left RAF Fairford after alleged attack plot
The United States has confirmed that all bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to bases at home. The move followed an investigation into an alleged terror plot involving the Gloucestershire base and the arrest of a dual British-Iranian national in London.
The United States has confirmed that all of its bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations, following an investigation into an alleged planned terror attack at the British base. A Pentagon spokesperson said operational security had prevented the military from confirming the movement in real time but acknowledged that the aircraft had now been redeployed to the United States. A Pentagon official had earlier disclosed the move anonymously.
Aviation watchers had observed B-52 and B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford since the start of the Iran war. Several B-1 aircraft were seen leaving the base in Gloucestershire on Sunday. The development followed the arrest in central London of a dual British-Iranian national suspected of plotting a terror attack.
The arrest came after a security incident at RAF Fairford in late September. Six people have been detained and later released on bail during the investigation. British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran, while Iran has denied involvement.
The source material does not say that anyone has been charged or establish that the alleged plot was connected to the bomber withdrawal. RAF Fairford lies about 160 kilometres west of London and has been used by US bombers during conflicts in the Middle East. The base’s withdrawal of bombers does not mark an end to the wider American military presence in the region.
A US official said the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group were travelling towards the Middle East. Together, the ships carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines, according to the source material. The official said the deployments could mean that three aircraft carriers were in the region by the end of October.
The bomber move also comes as President Donald Trump considers whether to launch further strikes against Iran. Trump said on Saturday that Iran had been severely weakened and that he would decide between what he called an easier or harder course.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.