United States withdraws all B1 bombers from RAF Fairford base

The United States confirmed on Sunday that it has withdrawn all B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford, a British military airbase in south-west England. The Journal and France 24 both reported that the move followed a security incident last month that prompted nearby evacuations. [1][2]

Police were called to the base on 27 September after a local farmer reported a group of men with vans engaging in suspicious activity, according to The Journal. France 24 and The Journal both reported that police found no explosives, but counter-terrorism police recovered a quantity of petrol. The scare caused 85 homes near the airbase to be evacuated. [1][2]

France 24 reported that five London-based British men who were arrested in connection with the incident have since been released on bail. Speculation regarding the motives behind the security incident has ranged from a fuel theft to a terror threat, according to The Journal. [1][2]

RAF Fairford is located in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. It serves as the only European airfield for heavy bombers used by the United States Air Force and routinely supports Bomber Task Force operations. [7]