The US Air Force has withdrawn its bombers from RAF Fairford after an investigation into an alleged terror plot targeting the base.
An anonymous Pentagon official, unauthorized to discuss sensitive military movements, confirmed Sunday that the aircraft were redeployed to their home bases in the United States.
Aviation trackers including the Military Air Tracking Alliance have documented dozens of B-52 and B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford since the Iran conflict began. Observers reported multiple B-1 bombers departing the Gloucestershire base on Sunday.
A Pentagon spokesperson stated: “While operational security prevents us from confirming asset and force movements in real time, we can acknowledge that all US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford have returned to their home stations in the United States.”
British authorities arrested a dual British-Iranian national in central London last week on suspicion of plotting a terror attack connected to a security incident at RAF Fairford in late September. Six people were detained and released on bail during the investigation.
UK officials have linked the incident to Tehran, while Iran denies involvement.
RAF Fairford, situated 100 miles (160 km) west of London, has hosted American bombers during decades of Middle East conflicts.
The US military maintains a substantial presence in the Middle East. A US official said Thursday that the recently deployed USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and USS Malkin Island amphibious readiness group—carrying more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines—are heading to the region. The official indicated this could result in three carriers in the area by late October.
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