United States withdraws all bombers from English air base after terror threat

The U.S. military has moved all its B-1 bombers out of RAF Fairford in England after police uncovered a suspected terror plot against the base. The aircraft left on October 4, 2026, and returned to home stations in the United States. At least three had reached their base in South Dakota by Sunday.

Around twelve B-1 Lancer bombers were at the base before the withdrawal. RAF Fairford is in Gloucestershire, about 100 miles west of London. British counter-terrorism police arrested six people in connection with the planned attack. U.S. officials said the plot was backed by Iran. The Pentagon confirmed the redeployment in an official statement. RAF Fairford had been used to launch bombing missions against Iran during the current conflict.