The abrupt redeployment to the US comes after a number of “terrorism-related” arrests were made outside RAF Fairford. The United States made the abrupt decision to withdraw its bombers from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in the western part of the United Kingdom, citing concerns about a possible attack. Media reports emerged on Sunday that an urgent redeployment was underway, with B-1 bombers leaving RAF Fairford for the US. About a dozen of these aircraft were based at RAF Fairford before the sudden departure. “While operational security prevented us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real time, we can now recognize that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have redeployed to their home stations in the United States,” a Pentagon spokesperson told Al Jazeera. “Airmen operating the United States bomber force, including the B-1, B-2 and B-52, remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities, including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States, anywhere, anytime,” the official added. It is unclear exactly what prompted the withdrawal, which comes as the United States and Israel remain entangled in a war against Iran. RAF Fairford has served as a staging point for American bombers taking part in the war, which began more than seven months ago on February 28. London is rumored to be the target of a “terrorist” plot involving Iran. On September 27, UK authorities arrested five men on suspicion of plotting to plant explosives near the base. Iran has denied any such plan and the men were released without charge a day later. Investigators found gasoline in their vans, but no explosive devices. Still, UK officials say they remain under investigation. On Thursday, British police also announced that they had arrested a 25-year-old dual Iranian-British national in London on suspicion of plotting an attack on the air base. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested last week that “Iran played a role” in the alleged plot, although he declined to provide details. Vicki Evans, counter-terrorism police, said in a statement: “As we have made clear, we are looking at all possible angles, including the possible involvement of foreign states.” US President Donald Trump responded to the initial arrests by accusing the men of trying to cause “extensive damage” to US facilities. He also praised the UK authorities for their efforts. “The arrest in the United Kingdom was fantastic. Working with Britain was an incredible job. We had them under investigation,” Trump said of the suspects. “We had them in our sights for a long time and we have them.” Meanwhile, Iran summoned the UK ambassador to Tehran over the past week in protest at the arrests. The United States has a long history of stationing forces at RAF Fairford during its wars in the Middle East, dating back to the Gulf War in the 1990s. RAF Fairford has been the site of anti-war protests in the past. In one case, in 2003, five protesters stormed the air base in an attempt to destroy military equipment planned for use in the US invasion of Iraq. The United Kingdom has largely refused to participate in the ongoing war against Iran, despite pressure from the Trump administration. Still, although the UK government was initially hesitant to allow the US to use its bases for war, in March it granted “defensive” access to bases including Fairford and RAF Diego Garcia.
