The United States withdrew 12 B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following security concerns linked to a suspected threat, President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday. Speaking in Washington before traveling to a rally in Nebraska, Trump described the move as a precaution driven by specific “threats,” emphasizing that the bombers’ departure was deliberate rather than accidental.
Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump’s remarks, stating that the Pentagon acted out of “an abundance of caution” after uncovering what officials suspect was a terrorist plot connected to Iran. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also pointed to “strong indications” linking the alleged threat to Iran, although Tehran has denied any involvement. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously named RAF Fairford a legitimate target, due to its role in launching airstrikes against Iran.
The heightened alert followed a September 27 incident in which five British men in their twenties were arrested after men wearing balaclavas were seen approaching RAF Fairford under cover of darkness. These men were later released on bail without charge. One individual reportedly called emergency services to report the incident. Separately, a 25-year-old dual British-Iranian citizen was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of preparing terrorist attacks but was also released on bail. Authorities have described the investigation as complex and ongoing.
While Vance suggested the bomber withdrawal was a direct response to the incident, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to downplay the connection and maintain confidence in the security of the base. He framed the repositioning of assets as part of routine military rotations and adjustments rather than a sign of broader vulnerability. Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ trust in British security forces, citing longstanding cooperation, including on the current investigation.
RAF Fairford, which is not a permanent home to B-1 bombers, was granted use of the base by former British Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to facilitate US airstrikes against Iran. Its long runways make it suitable for such missions. Previously, the US had stationed B-52 bombers there but withdrew them as airstrike activity declined. Observers note that U-2 reconnaissance planes remain present at the Gloucestershire site.
The responsibility for security around RAF Fairford falls to the Ministry of Defence and Gloucestershire police, while US forces provide internal base security. Gloucestershire police, one of the UK’s smallest forces with approximately 1,200 officers, also protect key intelligence sites, including the headquarters of GCHQ in Cheltenham. The force acknowledged last weekend that limited staffing, funding, and outdated technology hamper its capacity to manage major security threats effectively.
In a related development, a man from Kuwait was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years in London’s Old Bailey after attempting to breach the Israeli embassy armed with knives last year. Abdullah Sabah Albadri, 34, had drafted a “martyrdom note” seized by police during his arrest in April 2025. He was convicted of preparing an act of terrorism and multiple knife possession offenses.