Residents living near RAF Fairford in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds have welcomed the withdrawal of all American bombers from the base, as Downing Street insists the site remains safe despite fresh intelligence of a second Iran-backed terror plot. The US Air Force confirmed on Sunday it had removed all aircraft — believed to number around a dozen B-1 bombers — from the base, redeploying them to their home stations in the United States.
What Happened
The withdrawal came after the New York Times reported that US commanders had received new and specific threat intelligence about an Iran-backed plot against RAF Fairford, with officials describing the situation as so urgent that some aircraft departed while aerial refuelling planes were still being mobilised to assist their journeys. At least three of the B-1s touched down at their home base in South Dakota by Sunday. The Pentagon’s European Command acknowledged the departure but declined to comment on any fresh intelligence.
The decision follows a major incident on 27 September when counter-terror police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase in Whelford. Five British men in their mid-20s were arrested on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offences, and dozens of homes were evacuated. All five were subsequently released on bail under stringent conditions. Police confirmed that petrol, but no improvised explosive devices, was found in the vans. A sixth man — a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national — was later arrested on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts under Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006, and was also released on bail following searches of two properties in London.
Political and Security Response
A Downing Street spokesperson said the base was safe, declining to comment on “foreign nations’ military operations”, and pointed to US President Donald Trump’s comments from last week in which he “praised our police, defence and security services” in connection with the incident. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said previously that the UK has “tried and tested approaches to defend our bases around the country and throughout the world.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on Monday, said he would not directly tie last week’s incident to the decision to withdraw the bombers, describing aircraft movements as routine. However, Whitehall sources have not disputed that the decision was made in direct response to the threat intelligence, and the BBC has been told the call was taken at an operational military level rather than a political one.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident. Iran has strongly denied any involvement and summoned the British ambassador in Tehran. In July, Tehran stated that “any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target.” Liberal Democrat defence spokesperson James MacCleary described the US withdrawal as “deeply concerning” and called on the government to set out a plan to ensure Britain’s military bases are “fit for purpose.”
Residents React
For many of those living in the villages surrounding RAF Fairford, news of the bombers’ departure brought relief. Geoff Lawson, a Kempsford resident, said “peace has returned”, though he acknowledged some locals would miss the economic activity the American presence brought. Ruth Foxman of Whelford, who was among those evacuated during the incident, said she was “really pleased”, describing months of house-shaking noise and pollution as a “real strain”. She also criticised the “complete lack of information” from authorities during the evacuation.
Cotswold District councillor Tristan Wilkinson, who represents Whelford, likened the events of the past week to “a plot line from Slow Horses.” He said: “The last few months have been particularly difficult. The noise levels have been high and they’ve been operating 24 hours a day.” Despite the upheaval, Wilkinson stressed the importance of the long-term US-UK relationship at the base, which he said generates hundreds of millions of pounds for the local economy annually. “We want a long-term relationship and to be good neighbours with the Americans going forward,” he said.
Background
RAF Fairford, situated on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border near the village of Whelford, has served as a key forward operating location for the US Air Force since the Cold War. The base was opened in 1944 and has hosted American aircraft during multiple major operations over the decades. Since March 2026, the US has been flying B-1 and B-52 bombers from Fairford to conduct strikes in the Middle East, following permission granted by then-Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the US to use British bases for what were described as “defensive” strikes against Iran.
Counter Terrorism Policing has described its ongoing investigation as “hugely complex”, with specialist teams examining “multiple lines of inquiry.” Senior national co-ordinator Vicki Evans said investigators were “looking at all possible angles — including possible foreign state involvement.”
Investigation Ongoing
All six suspects arrested in connection with the incident remain on bail. Counter Terrorism Policing continues to lead the investigation with no charges yet brought. The Pentagon confirmed that US bombing capabilities, including B-1, B-2, and B-52 aircraft, remain ready to operate from continental United States bases if required, meaning the withdrawal from Fairford does not end America’s capacity to conduct precision strikes in the region.
This is a developing story. Cheltenham Times will continue to follow the investigation and any further updates from counter-terror police.
