The United States has returned all bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in Britain to their home stations, the Pentagon said Sunday, a week after five men were arrested near the base.
About a dozen B-1 bombers had been stationed at Fairford, according to Reuters. The Pentagon did not give a reason for the move when it confirmed the aircraft had returned.
Vice President JD Vance said Monday that the bombers were moved “out of an abundance of caution” to protect U.S. personnel.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier that day, described such movements as regular military reallocations and said there was no direct link between the departure and the incident near the base.
Counter Terrorism Policing said officers received a report at about 12:45 a.m. Sept. 27 of three suspicious vehicles apparently traveling toward the Gloucestershire airfield. Armed officers arrested five men in nearby Whelford.
The men, British nationals from London ages 23 to 25, were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. Police found no improvised explosive devices in the vehicles but recovered a quantity of petrol.
All five were released on police bail the next day. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor described the release as an investigative decision and said the men remained subject to strict conditions while inquiries continued. Police have not announced charges against them.
A dual British-Iranian national was arrested in London on Oct. 1 on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and was later released on bail. Police also questioned a second man under caution.
Investigators said they were examining several possibilities, including whether a foreign state was involved. They have not publicly established a motive or identified who directed the activity.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran had played a part, while acknowledging that the investigation remained open. Iran denied involvement. Rubio also spoke of the “hands of a foreign actor,” but did not publicly provide evidence for that assessment.
Britain has permitted U.S. forces to use Fairford for specific defensive operations against Iranian missiles and launchers, according to UK Parliament. The police investigation into the incident near the base continues.
