Terror threat in the heart of Britain? US evacuates all bombers from base

The Pentagon confirmed that all 12 B-1 bombers were returned from RAF Fairford in the UK to the US, following a serious security incident on September 27, when six men were arrested on suspicion of terror offenses. London insists the base is safe, but a terror investigation continues.

The Pentagon confirmed that all 12 American B-1 bombers were returned from Royal Air Force Fairford in the UK to home bases in the US. The decision came after a serious security incident on September 27, when police were called to three suspicious vehicles near the base. Five men were initially arrested on suspicion of terror offenses and released on bail, and later a sixth man, a British-Iranian citizen, was also arrested and released on bail. The incident is under investigation by the Counter Terrorism Unit. London insists the base is completely safe, and a spokesman for the British Prime Minister's Office refused to comment on military operations of foreign nations but mentioned US President Donald Trump's praise for British security services. Whitehall sources did not deny that the American decision was a direct response to the security incident, telling the BBC it was a clear military decision made at the highest operational level.