US withdraws B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford after security incident
publishers 52articles 57first reported 4 Oct, 21:17 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 9 editionstop 25 #4
The United States has withdrawn all B-1 bombers deployed at RAF Fairford in southwest England and returned them to their home stations in the US, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday.
The move followed a Sept. 27 security incident near the Gloucestershire base. Police responded after suspicious vehicles and a group of men were reported nearby, prompting a counterterrorism investigation and the evacuation of 85 homes. Investigators found no explosives in the vehicles but recovered a quantity of petrol, according to counterterrorism police.
Five men initially arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences were released on bail. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national arrested later in connection with the investigation, was also released on bail.
US media, citing unnamed officials, reported that commanders acted after receiving new information about a possible Iran-backed threat. Iran has rejected allegations that it was involved.
US Vice President JD Vance said the aircraft were moved out of an “abundance of caution.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to directly connect the withdrawal to the incident, saying military assets are routinely reallocated and that Washington retains confidence in the security of its bases. He also praised British authorities’ cooperation.
Downing Street said RAF Fairford remained safe. The base, about 90 miles west of London, has hosted US bomber deployments and was used for recent US operations involving Iran.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 18 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 52
- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 7
- This version written
- 18 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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