RAF Fairford, England — The U.S. Air Force has moved its bombers from the U.S.-run base back to the United States after a terror plot investigation linked to the facility. The move follows a security investigation that included the arrest of a dual British-Iranian national in central London, while President Donald Trump considers his next steps in the war with Iran.
The Brief
- The U.S. Air Force has moved its B-52 and B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in England back to U.S. bases after a terror plot investigation linked to the base.
- British authorities arrested a dual British-Iranian national in London and have taken six people into custody and later released them on bail during the investigation.
- The bomber move comes as President Donald Trump considers further action against Iran, while additional U.S. military forces are heading toward the Middle East.
U.S. Bombers RAF Fairford
What we know:
The security investigation began after an incident at RAF Fairford in late September. The base, about 100 miles west of London, had been used by U.S. bombers during the Iran war.
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British authorities later arrested a dual British-Iranian national in central London last week on suspicion of planning a terror attack. Six people have been taken into custody and later released on bail as the investigation continued.
Authorities in Britain have linked the incident to Tehran. Iran has denied involvement but has previously said it views military bases used to strike Iran as legitimate targets.
On Sunday, observers tracked B-1 bombers leaving RAF Fairford. A Pentagon official said the U.S. bombers have since been redeployed to their home bases in the United States.
U.S. Military Builds Up in Middle East
The U.S. military continues to maintain a large presence in the Middle East as the bomber move from RAF Fairford unfolds. On Thursday, a U.S. official said the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier and the USS Malkin Island amphibious readiness group were heading toward the region.
The two groups together carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines. The official said the move could bring the number of U.S. aircraft carriers in the region to three by the end of October.
At the same time, President Donald Trump is weighing his next decisions on Iran, including the possibility of additional strikes.
