President Donald Trump confirmed that US military bombers were deliberately withdrawn from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire due to security threats. Speaking on Monday, October 5, he said the planes “didn’t fly out by accident” but were moved to avoid provoking potential enemies. “There were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we’ll capture the enemy and beat the enemy,” he explained. Trump added that the bombers were relocated only a short distance away.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to minimise the significance of the withdrawal, stating it was not directly linked to a suspected terror threat. Speaking to reporters, Rubio described such redeployment as a routine part of military operations, citing exercises and personnel rotations as common reasons for moving assets.
The decision to remove all 12 B-1 bombers from the base came after intelligence emerged concerning an alleged Iran-backed plot. This follows an incident over a week earlier when three suspicious vans were observed near RAF Fairford, prompting the arrest of five British nationals in their mid-20s on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism. All were subsequently released on bail.
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Additionally, a sixth individual, a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts, but was also released on bail by Counter Terrorism Policing on October 3. The security concerns underline the sensitive nature of the base’s operations and the ongoing efforts to prevent threats to military installations within the UK.