All US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations in the United States following a security incident near the British air base, which has been used by American aircraft involved in strikes against Iran.
By Open Chronicle with agencies
LONDON. The United States Air Force has withdrawn all of its bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom following a security incident that resulted in several arrests near the strategically important air base.
A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft stationed at Fairford had returned to their home bases in the United States.
The withdrawal follows the arrest of five British nationals last month on suspicion of explosives and terrorism related offences near the base. A dual British and Iranian national was subsequently arrested separately on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack.
All six suspects have since been released on bail.
US Bombers Return to Their Home Bases
The Pentagon confirmed that all American bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have now left the British facility.
The Defense Department did not characterize the move as affecting the wider operational readiness of the American bomber fleet.
“US Air Force bombers routinely operate around the world to support global force readiness and operational requirements,” a Pentagon spokesperson said.
The Pentagon emphasized that crews operating B 1, B 2 and B 52 bombers remain capable of conducting long range missions directly from the continental United States.
The aircraft can therefore continue carrying out global strike operations without necessarily being permanently deployed at forward bases.
RAF Fairford Has Been Used for Operations Against Iran
The security incident has particular significance because RAF Fairford has been used by American bombers involved in strikes against Iran.
The British air base consequently forms part of the wider network supporting US long range military operations.
Its location in Gloucestershire provides the United States with a strategically important European operating location for bomber deployments.
The removal of the aircraft comes as US military operations connected with the Iran conflict continue to place significant demands on American forces and their overseas infrastructure.
Five British Men Arrested Near the Base
The security investigation began on October 27 when British police arrested five men close to RAF Fairford.
All five are British nationals in their 20s and are from London.
They were arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism related offences.
Police investigating the incident discovered a quantity of accelerant, identified as gasoline, inside three vans linked to the suspects.
No explosives were found.
The five men were subsequently released on bail while the investigation continues.
Dual British and Iranian National Later Arrested
Authorities later made another arrest connected with concerns surrounding the air base.
A 25 year old dual British and Iranian national was taken into custody in London on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack.
Counter terrorism authorities announced on Saturday that he had also been released on bail.
The supplied information does not establish that the allegations against the different suspects have been proven, and the investigations remain ongoing.
Fairford’s Strategic Importance
RAF Fairford has long been capable of supporting deployments by America’s strategic bomber fleet.
Forward operating locations such as Fairford allow US aircraft and personnel to operate closer to potential theatres of military activity while retaining the ability to return to bases in the United States.
However, the Pentagon stressed that American bombers do not depend on overseas deployments to conduct long range missions.
B 1, B 2 and B 52 aircraft can launch from the continental United States and conduct operations across considerable distances.
That capability allows Washington to retain strategic strike options even after aircraft have been removed from a forward operating location.
Security Around Military Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
The arrests have placed renewed attention on security surrounding military facilities supporting operations connected with the Iran war.
RAF Fairford is both a British military installation and an important operating location for American forces, giving any potential security threat at the base wider implications for the defense relationship between London and Washington.
For now, the Pentagon has confirmed that the deployed bomber force has left Fairford and returned to the United States.
American officials nevertheless insist that the withdrawal does not diminish the ability of the US bomber fleet to conduct global operations.
The investigation in Britain continues, with the suspects released on bail while counter terrorism authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the security incidents near one of the most strategically important air bases used by the United States in Europe.