US bombers leave RAF Fairford after suspected terror plot
publishers 126articles 254first reported 27 Sep, 08:15 UTCdeveloping since 27 Sep · 21 editionstop 25 #19
The US Air Force has withdrawn all bombers deployed to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, following a security alert and arrests linked to a suspected plot targeting the base.
A Pentagon official confirmed Sunday that the aircraft had returned to their home stations in the United States. The official did not directly link the redeployment to the investigation, saying US bombers routinely operate worldwide and that operational security had prevented confirmation of their movements in real time. Aircraft-monitoring sites showed B-1 bombers leaving RAF Fairford on Sunday, according to The Irish Times.
British police arrested five British men in their mid-20s after three suspicious vans were reported near the base early on September 27. They were detained on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences and later released on bail. Police said petrol was found in the vans but no explosive devices.
A sixth suspect, a 25-year-old British-Iranian dual national, was arrested in central London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and was also released on bail Saturday.
Counter Terrorism Policing described the investigation as “hugely complex” and said authorities were examining multiple lines of inquiry, including possible foreign-state involvement. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” Iran may have played a role, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had provided Britain with intelligence about what he called an Iranian-sponsored attack. No charges have been announced.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 108 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 126
- Source articles
- 254
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 108 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →