Five Arrested in Suspected Terror Plot Near Major UK Base Used by U.S. Air Force
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British authorities arrested five people early Sunday morning on suspicion of planning terrorist actions near RAF Fairford in southwest England, a base used by the U.S. Air Force.
The United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police said the incident began shortly before 1 a.m. local time.
Police received a call reporting three “suspicious vehicles” moving toward the military installation.
Five suspects were arrested on suspicion of plotting terrorism and explosive actions.
Authorities had not identified the suspects, and officials did not disclose the exact nature or potential scale of the suspected attack.
Counterterrorism officers took charge of the investigation following the arrests. Officers were also searching the vans connected to the incident.
RAF Fairford is among several bases in the United Kingdom used by the U.S. Air Force. The American military maintains a major presence in the country through installations including Fairford, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall.
Those bases have served as stopover points for bombers, transport aircraft and fighter jets deploying to the Middle East. The Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing is based out of Fairford.
Image Credit: DoW
A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker is marshaled to a parking spot at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom on April 12, 1999. The Stratotanker has been deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, to support refueling missions during NATO Operation Allied Force. Operation Allied Force is the air operation against targets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses and B-1B Lancers operated from RAF Fairford during missions against Iran at the start of the Iran war this year. Photographs distributed on Sunday showed several American aircraft at Fairford, including B-1B Lancer bombers.
In a statement to Task & Purpose, an Air Force spokesperson said, “501st Combat Support Wing appreciates the swift response and continued support of our local law enforcement partners.
The safety and security of our airmen, families, and surrounding communities remains our highest priority.”
The spokesperson added, “We remain in close coordination with our U.K. partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities.”
The Air Force declined to provide specific information about security measures that were in place, citing operational security. Officials therefore offered no additional public details about protective steps at Fairford.
The Associated Press reported that RAF Lakenheath had entered Force Protection Condition Charlie. That status is the Department of War’s second highest security threat level.
Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump addressed the suspected plot and said the suspects intended to do “big damage.”
No further details about the suspected objective were disclosed in the provided account.
British authorities evacuated homes in a nearby village as the investigation unfolded. Officials also established a cordon around the area while specialized military personnel examined the vehicles.
Image Credit: DoW
An Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off in support of Exercise Baltic Operations at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, June 2, 2018. Two B-1Bs from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, dropped 12 inert Mark 62 Quickstrike mines while participating in Exercise Baltic Operations. The inclusion of bombers in the exercise provides an opportunity for bomber crews to integrate and train with other U.S. European Command components, while exercising the United States’ key bomber capabilities. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Emily Copeland
British Army explosive ordnance disposal teams inspected the vans connected with the investigation. The examination took place while police and counterterrorism officers continued working at the scene.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the investigation remained ongoing.
Authorities had not released additional information about the identities of the five people under arrest.
The presence and use of American military bases in Europe has drawn local opposition in countries including the United Kingdom.
Some governments have also denied the United States access to their airspace for military flights.
In April, more than a dozen people were arrested after attempting to blockade the main entrance to RAF Lakeneath.
That earlier protest reflected the local pushback surrounding the U.S. military presence described in the source.
Sunday’s arrests left counterterrorism officers examining three vehicles, British Army teams inspecting the vans and authorities maintaining security around the Fairford area.
The Air Force said it remained coordinated with its British partners while prioritizing military personnel, families and surrounding communities.
