US Air Force Relocates Aircraft from England Amid Threat Concerns

The U.S. Air Force has moved aircraft from its base in eastern England due to a potential threat, as disclosed by U.S. officials to The Associated Press.

The Military Air Tracking Alliance, a group of about 30 open-source analysts that monitors military and government flight activity, observed 13 U.S. aircraft departing RAF Mildenhall for bases in Scotland, Spain, and Germany.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which initially reported the relocation, the threat involved Iran, attributed to sources familiar with the situation.

Less than two months before, the U.S. Air Force withdrew bombers from RAF Fairford, another U.S.-operated base in Britain, while police scrutinized a suspected terror plan with possible links to Iran. Bombers at RAF Fairford previously launched missions targeting Iran during Middle East conflicts.

Some aircraft relocated were permanently based at RAF Mildenhall, while others were on rotation. These included Osprey aircraft and midair refueling tankers, according to the Military Air Tracking Alliance.

The base raised its alert level to FPCON Charlie, the second-highest level, suggesting a likely terrorist threat to personnel or facilities.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135, used for in-flight refueling, departs RAF Mildenhall air base in England during routine exercises on September 20, 2001. (AP Photo/Max Nash, File)

A U.S. official noted the aircraft movement was a proactive action, not a response, emphasizing the U.S. military’s agility in addressing potential threats. Planes in transit and those permanently stationed at RAF Mildenhall may return, but the official did not provide further details on the threat’s nature or source.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the United States consistently repositions its forces globally for various reasons, referring further inquiries to the Pentagon, which did not confirm immediately.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force in Europe mentioned coordinated and appropriate actions being taken to ensure the safety and security of U.S., U.K. personnel, and their families. Rotating aircraft between bases serves training and real-world needs, they said, adding that security measures consider multiple factors.

The U.K. prime minister’s office assured that British air bases remain secure, prioritizing safety. The U.K. maintains constant communication with the U.S. to share intelligence and assess threats collaboratively.

RAF Mildenhall, a base operated by the U.S. Air Force in the U.K., is home to the 100th refueling wing, the sole permanent refueling wing in Europe. It operates the KC-135 Stratotanker, a jet with a wingspan of 131 feet (40 meters), capable of carrying up to 83,000 pounds (nearly 38,000 kilograms) of cargo.

On September 27, five men were detained following the sighting of suspicious vans heading toward RAF Fairford, a U.K.-owned base utilized by U.S. bombers for decades in Middle East conflicts. Additional arrests ensued, and two men face charges under the National Security Act.

The U.K. Defense Ministry declined to comment on the activities of other nations, stating that aircraft and other assets are frequently relocated to meet operational demands.

Konstantin Toropin reported from Washington.