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Withdrawal came after the incident

US bombers have been completely removed from RAF Fairford in England. A US defense official said about a dozen B-1 aircraft returned to their main bases on Sunday. Washington did not explain why the aircraft were pulled back.

The decision came after an investigation into three suspicious vehicles reported on September 27 near the Gloucestershire base. Whitehall sources did not dispute the view that the withdrawal was linked to the incident. According to sources speaking to the BBC, the move was presented to British counterparts as an operational military decision rather than a political one.

What stage has the investigation reached?

Detentions and bail process

In the first hours of the incident, five British citizens from London were detained after the vehicles were said to be heading toward the base. The individuals, aged 23 to 25, were first dealt with on suspicion of explosives offenses and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Police later said all of them had been released on bail, describing it as a decision based on investigative strategy.

A 25-year-old British-Iranian man, later arrested in London, was also detained on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Counterterrorism police said he too was released on bail on Saturday. The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the matter.

The base's role and claims of an Iran link

Why is RAF Fairford important?

RAF Fairford has been used for decades by the US Air Force as a forward operating location. In recent months, the base has hosted B-1 and B-52 aircraft deployed on Middle East missions as part of defensive strikes against Iran, with British approval. Flight-tracking websites also showed the B-1s leaving the base on Sunday.

Technical outline of the missions

  • The B-1 aircraft were recently said to have flown missions armed with bunker-busting munitions and air-to-surface missiles.
  • Depending on the target's location, a sortie could last a total of 12 to 15 hours and require refueling in both directions, it was reported.

Statements from Washington and London

Days after the incident, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were strong indications that Iran may have had a role, but gave no details. Tehran strongly rejected the claim. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also pointed to the hand of a foreign actor, while President Donald Trump said he was surprised that the five people detained had been released on bail.

The Pentagon stressed that the bombers can also carry out missions taking off from the continental United States and that operational capability remains intact.

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