US Withdraws B-1 Bombers From UK Base After Security Incident

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The United States has withdrawn all B-1 bombers deployed to RAF Fairford in southwest England, Washington confirmed Sunday, as British counter-terrorism investigators continue to examine a mysterious security incident near the airbase last month.

A Pentagon official said all U.S. bombers deployed to Fairford had “re-deployed to their home stations in the United States,” while stressing that operational security prevented Washington from confirming the movement of its aircraft and forces in real time.

The withdrawal comes after British police were called to the area on Sept. 27 when a local farmer reported seeing several men and vans involved in what he described as suspicious activity near the airbase.

The incident prompted the evacuation of residents from 85 nearby homes. Counter-terrorism investigators later searched the vans and found no explosives, but recovered “a quantity of petrol,” according to British police.

The motive behind the incident remains unclear. Speculation has ranged from a potential terrorist threat to fuel theft, particularly as energy prices in the United Kingdom reached record highs this week.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the incident, an allegation Tehran has categorically rejected.

Iran’s embassy in London said it “categorically rejects and strongly condemns” speculation that Tehran was involved.

Six London-based British men arrested in connection with the incident, including a British-Iranian dual national, were released on bail. All of the suspects are reportedly in their mid-20s.

The releases drew criticism from Washington. U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters, “I wouldn't have done that,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that a “foreign actor” was involved.

Heightened security at key US base

The incident has drawn particular attention because RAF Fairford has become a strategically important U.S. military facility amid heightened tensions involving Iran.

Britain authorized Washington in March to use Fairford for “specific defensive operations into Iran.” U.S. bombers and other aircraft have subsequently been observed operating from the base, which is the only airbase on mainland Britain being used for that purpose.

British media have also reported that police were alerted to the incident by one of the initial suspects, although authorities have not publicly commented on those reports.

Security around the base had reportedly been heightened in recent weeks.

The incident began after a farmer in Whelford, a village near RAF Fairford, contacted police after observing three vans blocking a road and a group of masked men fleeing the area.

Aerial footage of the vehicles showed what appeared to be barrels inside the vans. At least one vehicle reportedly carried a fake logo and telephone number designed to make it appear to belong to a legitimate diesel delivery company.

While investigators found no explosives, the discovery of petrol and the circumstances surrounding the vehicles have added to questions about the purpose of the activity and whether it was connected to the airbase.

The U.S. decision to redeploy its B-1 bombers comes as British authorities continue investigating the incident and amid competing claims over whether Iran or another foreign actor played any role.