US withdraws B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after security scare

The United States has withdrawn all B-1 bombers deployed to Britain’s RAF Fairford after a security incident that prompted evacuations near the base, the Pentagon confirmed on Sunday. A Pentagon official said the aircraft had redeployed to their home stations in the United States. The official said operational security had prevented the movement from being confirmed in real time.

Police were called to the southwest England base after a local farmer reported several vans and a group of masked men behaving suspiciously. The incident led to the evacuation of 85 homes. Investigators found no explosives in the vans but recovered petrol, according to Lawrence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing.

The five London-based men arrested in connection with the incident, all in their mid-20s, were released on bail. The incident generated speculation about a possible terror threat or fuel theft. US President Donald Trump criticised the decision to release the men, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that a foreign actor was involved.

Iran’s embassy in London rejected suggestions that Tehran had played a role. Fairford has been used for US operations connected with the war against Iran. Britain authorised Washington in March to use the base for specific defensive operations, and US bombers and other aircraft had since been seen operating there.

The reported vans contained barrels, and at least one carried a false logo and telephone number suggesting it belonged to a legitimate diesel-delivery company. Police inquiries are continuing, but the supplied material does not say whether anyone has been charged or identify the purpose of the vehicles.