US Withdraws All Bombers From RAF Fairford After Incident

The United States has pulled every bomber aircraft out of RAF Fairford, sending them back to their home stations in America, a US department official confirmed in a statement issued Sunday, according to the BBC. The move follows a counter-terrorism investigation into three "suspicious vehicles" spotted near the Gloucestershire airbase on September 27.

Why did the US withdraw its bombers from RAF Fairford?

The US official's statement did not give a reason for the withdrawal, the BBC reported. But Whitehall sources did not dispute that the decision in Washington was made in response to the September 27 incident at the base. The BBC was also told the call was military rather than political — made at an operational level and relayed from the US military to British counterparts. The UK Ministry of Defence has not commented.

What happened at the base on September 27?

Police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford, which is operated by the US Air Force, in the early hours of the morning, according to the BBC. Five men aged 23 to 25, all UK nationals from London, were arrested on suspicion of explosives offenses and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. All five were released on bail in what police described as an "investigative decision" that was "grounded in experience and strategy," the BBC reported.

A sixth man, a 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, was arrested in London on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. Counter-terror police confirmed Saturday that he too had been released on bail.

Who has commented, and what have they said?

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said days after the incident that there were "strong indications" Iran had played a part, though he did not provide further detail, per the BBC. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News the incident "clearly involve[d] the hands of a foreign actor," but said on air he was limited in what he could disclose, according to the BBC's account.

"We know everything about them, we would not have released them."

That remark came from President Donald Trump, who said separately he was "surprised" the five men had been released on bail and added that the UK had worked with the US "very closely" on the matter, the BBC reported.

What is RAF Fairford's role, and why does it matter now?

RAF Fairford has served as a forward operating location for the US Air Force for decades. In recent months the base has been used for bomber takeoffs bound for the Middle East, after the UK approved a US request to use the site for defensive strikes on Iran, according to the BBC. In July, Iran stated that "any base used for aggression against Iranian territory constitutes a legitimate target for our forces."

Timeline of events

• July 2026 — Iran warns that bases used for strikes against its territory would be considered legitimate targets, after the UK approved US use of RAF Fairford for strikes on Iran.
• September 27, 2026 — Police are alerted to three suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford; five UK nationals are arrested on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses.
• Days after Sept. 27 — PM Andy Burnham cites "strong indications" of Iranian involvement; Rubio tells Fox News the incident involved a "foreign actor"; Tehran denies involvement.
• Thursday — A sixth man, a UK-Iranian national, is arrested in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
• Saturday — Counter-terror police confirm the sixth man has been released on bail, following the earlier release of the first five.
• Sunday, October 4, 2026 — A US department official confirms all bombers have been redeployed from RAF Fairford to home stations in the United States.

What to watch next

• Whether the UK Ministry of Defence issues a formal statement on the bomber withdrawal or the investigation's status.
• Any further charging decisions or additional arrests tied to the six men currently on bail.
• Whether US bombers return to RAF Fairford, or whether operations shift permanently to another forward base.
• Any direct response or further denial from Tehran regarding the Rubio and Burnham comments.
• Whether Washington or London release additional detail on what Rubio called a "foreign actor's" role.

All six men arrested in connection with the September 27 incident remain on bail, and no charges have been announced, according to the BBC's reporting. The BBC noted the Ministry of Defence had not responded to requests for comment on the bomber withdrawal as of publication.

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