A Gloucestershire market town with RAF ties
Police have arrested five men after residents reported three suspicious vehicles moving toward RAF Fairford overnight. Bomb-disposal teams are examining the vehicles under a 400-metre cordon; about 85 households were evacuated. Counter Terrorism Policing and Gloucestershire police have opened an investigation and the men remain in custody on terrorism-related suspicions.
Police have investigated a suspicious van incident near RAF Fairford on 27 September that forced 85 homes to evacuate. Counter‑terrorism teams have recovered petrol from the vehicles but found no explosives. Five London men were arrested and released on bail; a 27‑year‑old dual UK‑Iranian national has been arrested in London as part of the inquiry. US bombers previously based at Fairford have re‑deployed to the United States.
The US has redeployed a dozen B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford back to US bases after British authorities foiled an alleged plot to attack the Gloucestershire airfield. UK officials have said there are "strong indications" of Iranian involvement; Tehran has denied the claim. The withdrawal will reduce the UK-based surge capability for strikes on Iran.
The United States has redeployed its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire to the US after a new threat against the base, with Britain stressing that the site remains secure. Counter-terror police have been investigating a September incident near the base, and officials from the US and UK are citing ongoing security measures while confirming the move.