The United States has withdrawn all bombers deployed to RAF Fairford and returned them to their home bases in America following security concerns surrounding a suspected terrorist plot targeting the Gloucestershire airbase.
The Pentagon confirmed that all US bombers deployed at Fairford had left the base, which has played an important role in recent American military operations against Iran.
Reuters reported that around a dozen B-1 bombers had been stationed at Fairford. Sky News reported that Pentagon sources described the withdrawal of at least 12 bombers as rushed, including aircraft which had recently arrived as part of a rotation.
The development follows the arrest of five British men near RAF Fairford on 27 September and the subsequent arrest of a dual UK-Iranian national in London.
All six suspects have been released on bail. Nobody has been charged and the investigation remains ongoing.
Pentagon confirms all deployed bombers have returned to US
A Pentagon spokesman said operational security had prevented the United States from confirming the movement of its forces in real time.
The spokesman said: “We can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States.”
The Pentagon stressed that America's B-1, B-2 and B-52 crews remained capable of delivering global precision strikes, including missions launched from the continental United States.
Reuters reported that the aircraft were returned home amid security concerns linked to suspected plots targeting the base.
Fairford central to US bomber operations in Europe
RAF Fairford is an important European forward operating location for US heavy bombers and has recently supported American military operations against Iran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in July that Fairford could be considered a legitimate target because of its role in attacks against Iranian territory.
Six arrested during Fairford terrorism investigation
Five British men in their twenties were arrested after a security incident close to RAF Fairford in the early hours of 27 September.
Police said no explosive devices were recovered, although a quantity of petrol was found.
A sixth suspect — a dual British-Iranian national — was arrested in central London on 1 October on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts.
All six have subsequently been released on bail while Counter Terrorism Policing continues what it has described as a complex investigation.
An arrest does not establish guilt and no charges have been brought against any of the six suspects.
Burnham says there are 'strong indications' of Iranian involvement
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously said there are “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the suspected Fairford plot.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has separately said the incident “clearly involves” a foreign actor.
However, British investigators have not publicly established that the Iranian government directed the alleged plot and no suspect has been convicted of any offence connected with the incident.
Iran has denied involvement and described allegations linking Tehran to the suspected plot as baseless.
NATO says withdrawal will not weaken alliance
A senior NATO military official told Reuters that the removal of the bombers would not affect the alliance's defensive capabilities.
The United States retains the ability to conduct long-range bomber missions directly from bases in America.
Major consequence of suspected Fairford plot
The withdrawal represents the clearest operational consequence so far of the security concerns surrounding RAF Fairford.
While the Pentagon routinely moves bomber forces around the world, Reuters reported that the Fairford aircraft were returned to the United States amid security concerns following the suspected plot.
The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on US aircraft movements. The counter-terrorism investigation remains active.
Downing Street insists RAF Fairford is 'safe'
Downing Street has insisted that RAF Fairford remains safe following the withdrawal of the US bomber deployment from the Gloucestershire base.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: “RAF Fairford is safe. We have no evidence to suggest otherwise.”
Number 10 also stressed that the UK continues to work closely with the United States over the security of American forces based in Britain.
The statement comes after the Pentagon confirmed that all US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States amid security concerns surrounding the suspected terrorist plot.
The government's statement does not dispute the ongoing counter-terrorism investigation or establish that there was no threat to the base. Six people arrested during the investigation have been released on bail and nobody has been charged.