The United States (US) has withdrawn all its Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers from the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Fairford base in the UK.
The decision appears to follow a security incident at RAF Fairford at the end of September 2026 when five British nationals from London were arrested nearby on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and of preparation of a terrorist act.
In a statement from the Pentagon, a spokesperson said: “While operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real-time, we can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States.”
They added: “The airmen that operate America’s bomber force, including B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities – including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States – anywhere, anytime.”
On October 4, 2026, a dozen B-1B bombers were seen on flight tracking websites departing from the UK. The New York Times reported that three US aircraft landed in South Dakota.
A sixth man, described as a British Iranian national, was arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts on October 1, 2026. All six men arrested in connection with the security threat since been released on bail.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump have both indicated that Iran is involved in the suspected plot.
Part of the UK investigation is looking at whether the five men arrested near Fairford were unwittingly recruited by Iran to participate in the plot.