United States withdraws B1 bombers from RAF Fairford over security threat

The United States military has removed its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in England back to their home bases in America, the Pentagon confirmed on Sunday. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that the decision was made because the United States knew of security threats directed at the base. BBC News and the Guardian both report that at least 10 to 12 B-1 bombers were pulled from the location. [1][2][3]

The withdrawal follows an investigation into an alleged planned terrorist attack on the military installation, according to the Guardian. BBC News reported that police were previously alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase during a major incident on September 27. Five men in three vans were involved in the incident last week, the Guardian reported. [1][2][3]

A spokesperson for Downing Street insisted that RAF Fairford remains safe despite the removal of the American aircraft, BBC News reported. The spokesperson stated that Downing Street would not comment directly on foreign military operations, but pointed to recent praise from President Trump regarding United Kingdom defence and police forces. [1][3]

RAF Fairford is located in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, and serves as the United States Air Force's only European airfield for heavy bombers. The base hosts forward deployments of strategic aircraft to support operations in Europe, including recent military action involving Iran. [2][9][11]