UK Counter-Terror Police Investigate After Several Arrested Near Base Used by US Forces
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/09/27/uk/fairford-arrests-uk-raf-us-intl
UK counter-terrorism police are leading an investigation after several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses near an air base used by US forces.
A number of properties were evacuated in the Whelford area in the county of Gloucestershire "following the declaration of a major incident," a police statement said.
"The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are currently examining a number of vehicles," the statement said
Whelford is close to the Royal Air Force base at Fairford which has been used by US B-1 bombers involved in targeting Iran and is a forward operating location for US Global Strike Command, which is tasked with managing long-distance strikes.
A US air force spokesperson at Fairford - where the 501st Combat Support Wing is based - told CNN: "For operational security reasons we will not discuss specific force protection measures."
The unit "remains vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families," the spokesperson said.
The threat level at RAF Fairford has been raised to Delta. The threat level at RAF Lakenheath, which is also used by the USAF, has been raised to Charlie.
Threat level Delta suggests that there was prior intelligence to the potential attack and there is a large police presence deployed around the base.
As yet there has been no statement attributing the disrupted attack to any specific nation or organisation.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqrm99mm9l84o
UK counter-terrorism police are leading an investigation in which several men were arrested on suspicion of explosives offences near an RAF station which hosts the United States Air Force (USAF).
An Army explosive ordnance disposal team has been examining vehicles near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and homes in the nearby village of Whelford have been evacuated while investigations continue, police said.
The men were detained early on Sunday and a Hazardous Area Response Team has been deployed inside a security cordon at the base but officers believe the incident is contained.
The base has been recently used to deploy USAF bombers since the country's conflict in Iran began in February.
In March, four USAF bombers landed at RAF Fairford and the US started using British bases for "specific defensive operations" against Iranian missile sites after then prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for "defensive" US action from UK bases.
A government spokesperson said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was receiving regular updates on the evolving situation.
A police statement has just been made (13:56 BST):
Three suspicious white vans were reported by a telephone call to be heading towards the Fairford area at 12:45 am
Police stopped the vehicles and have detained 5 men, who remain in custody. They are held under suspicion of committing offences related to the Explosives Act.
The vehicles are being investigated by a military Explosive Ordnance Disposal team.
The police have just announced that the 5 detained men have been further charged with preparation of a terrorist act. [Corrected at 1427BST--JR]
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