Archive · 5 Oct 2026
US Withdraws B-1 Bombers From RAF Fairford After Security Incident
The United States moved all of its B-1 bombers away from an airbase in England and back to the United States.
The base had recently been used for US operations related to Iran.
Police went to the area after a farmer reported suspicious people and vans.
People living in 85 nearby homes had to leave while police investigated.
Investigators said they found petrol in the vans, but no explosives.
Five men were arrested and later released on bail.
President Donald Trump criticized that decision.
Marco Rubio said a foreign actor might have been involved, but Iran's embassy denied that Iran was involved.
Officials did not say that the bomber withdrawal was caused by the incident.
The Pentagon said all US B-1 bombers deployed at RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States.
Police investigated a report of suspicious activity involving men and vans near the southwest England airbase.
The incident prompted evacuations at 85 nearby homes; investigators said they found petrol but no explosives.
Five London-based British men arrested in the case were released on bail, prompting criticism from US President Donald Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged a foreign actor was involved, while Iran's embassy rejected speculation that Tehran was involved.
- Who
- The US military, police investigating the incident, and five arrested men.
- What
- The Pentagon confirmed that all US B-1 bombers at RAF Fairford had returned to their US home stations.
- When
- The Pentagon confirmed the withdrawal on Sunday; the suspicious incident was reported the previous Sunday.
- Where
- RAF Fairford and nearby homes in southwest England.
- Why
- The Pentagon cited operational security as the reason it had not confirmed the aircraft movement in real time; it did not state why the bombers were withdrawn.
US officials and critics
Iran's denial and investigative findings
Possible foreign involvement
US officials and critics
Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that a foreign actor was involved in the incident.
Iran's denial and investigative findings
Iran's embassy in London categorically rejected speculation that Tehran was involved; investigators said they found petrol but no explosives.
Release of the arrested men
US officials and critics
President Donald Trump criticized the decision to release the five men on bail, saying he would not have done so.
Iran's denial and investigative findings
The men were released on bail after their arrests; the article provides no further explanation from British authorities.
- Aircraft
- All US bombers deployed at RAF Fairford were redeployed to home stations in the United States.
- Airbase
- RAF Fairford is in southwest England.
- Evacuations
- Residents of 85 nearby homes were evacuated.
- Investigation
- Police said no explosives were found; a quantity of petrol was recovered.
- Arrests
- Five London-based British men in their mid-20s were arrested and released on bail.
- US access
- Britain gave the United States permission in March to use Fairford for specific defensive operations into Iran.
- Iran's response
- Iran's embassy in London rejected and condemned speculation that Tehran was involved.