US moves B-1 bombers from UK's RAF airbase back to home after ‘new’ threat in unusual move

The United States Air Force has reportedly withdrawn all B-1 bomber planes from Britain's Royal Air Force Fairford after an investigation into a suspected terror attack at the airbase and a new reported ‘unspecified’ threat.

A US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber on the tarmac at RAF Fairford base in Fairford, south-west England, on September 27, 2026. (File Photo/AFP)The Pentagon confirmed reports on Sunday that the US has brought home the B-1 bomber planes from the RAF airbase, according to an AFP report.

This comes following a suspicious incident that prompted evacuations near the airbase.

According to a Pentagon official cited in the AFP report, the bombers were redeployed to their home bases in the US.

A statement from the Pentagon official said, "We can acknowledge now that all US bombers that were deployed to RAF Fairford have re-deployed to their home stations in the United States."

"Operational security precluded us from confirming the movement of our assets and forces in real-time," the statement further noted.

A US official, cited by CNN, said that the US has moved the bombers after an unspecified new threat. The source, mentioned in the report, called the latest threat a "real world incident."

The official noted that Washington's move to shift the bombers to their home bases instead of another base in the region is unusual.

Following a security incident at RAF Fairford in September, a British-Iranian national was arrested in London last week on suspicion of plotting a terror attack.

During the investigation, six people were taken into custody and released on bail, the Associated Press reported. British authorities had linked the incident to Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran's embassy in London said it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns" speculation that Tehran was involved.

Police investigated men with several vans near the southwest England airbase after a local farmer reported it. The incident triggered evacuations at 85 homes near the airbase, which was used to launch strikes against Iran.

AFP further reported that National Counter Terrorism Policing head Lawrence Taylor noted that the investigators said they did not find any explosives in the vans, but instead “a quantity of petrol was recovered.”

The US Air Force's withdrawal of all bombers from the airbase in England comes while US President Donald Trump weighs options for the ongoing war in the Middle East.

According to AP, aviation watchers have observed several B-52 and B-1 bombers operating out of RAF Fairford since the conflict with Iran began.

Observers also noticed B-1 bombers fly out of the base on Sunday, the report added.

RAF Fairford is located 160 kilometres west of London and has been reportedly used by US bombers during conflicts in the Middle East.

Anushka Awasthi is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times, where she covers politics, geopolitics, and major national and international developments. She holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), New Delhi. Passionate about India's political landscape, Anushka believes that politics shapes every aspect of society, from public policy to everyday life. This drives her to deliver timely, accurate, and researched news that helps readers make sense of everyday developments. Before joining Hindustan Times, Anushka worked with the Zee News English website, reporting extensively on Indian politics and international affairs. During her tenure, she also wrote a range of interviews and analytical stories, focusing on key political and international affairs events. Her reporting is driven by a strong interest in journalism and a dedication to balanced reporting. She strives to present news with clarity and context in the digital era. She aims to ensure that readers stay informed about issues that matter. Outside the newsroom, she enjoys planning her next travel adventure to various corners of India, reading classical books, and binging sitcoms. A coffee enthusiast, she is always on the lookout for new places and experiences.Read More