Counter terror police arrested five men near RAF Fairford after a resident reported suspicious activity around three white vans in the early hours.
Dramatic footage showed [1] the suspects shirtless and handcuffed on a road as officers secured the area.
The resident is understood to have called the air base first but received no answer.
She then dialed 999 at 12.45am and reported men “acting suspiciously,” triggering a major operation involving armed police, Army bomb experts and the SAS.
Police said viable incendiary devices and chemicals were discovered inside one of the vans.
The five men remained in custody on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and committing offences under the Explosives Act.
An Army bomb disposal robot was deployed to examine the three parked vans inside a 400m police cordon.
Two of the vehicles had their rear doors open, while large black items that appeared to be barrels were visible nearby.
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Footage showed officers lining up the shirtless suspects before ordering them to sit on the road.
Their lack of shirts indicated that police may also have suspected the men of wearing suicide vests.
A nearby resident said officers patted down the suspects and removed their shoes and socks.
A group of Muslim terrorists have been caught in act about to blow up soldiers at RAF Fairford which is used by American troops.
Only 24hrs after police told me I was a target too.
And the Prime Minister sits on the BBC calling Danny Tommo a racist.
This is England 2026. pic.twitter.com/wgAMLZ20fx [2]
— Tommy Robinson (@TRobinsonNewEra) September 27, 2026 [3]
The witness estimated that they remained on the road for around half an hour before officers walked them out of sight.
Around 85 homes in the surrounding Cotswolds countryside were evacuated as the operation unfolded.
Residents were moved to a nearby leisure centre while emergency crews and explosives specialists examined the vehicles and searched for additional devices.
Julian Tudsbery, who has lived in Whelford for 30 years, said a local resident had noticed three suspicious vans.
According to Tudsbery, the air base police did not answer, so the resident contacted emergency services.
Another resident, identified only as Jason, said messages appeared in a village group chat about vans blocking a nearby lane.
The 50 year old was awakened by police at 6am and ordered to evacuate after hearing a helicopter over Whelford at about 1.30am.
The arrests were not believed to have resulted from a planned police operation, meaning authorities were previously unaware of the suspected plot.
Armed officers blocked access to RAF Fairford, while dozens of police cars, ambulances and fire engines were reported in the area.
RAF Fairford serves as the US Air Force command outpost for European operations and has supported American strikes against Iranian missile sites.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned Britain in July against allowing US bombers to operate from the base.
The base was reportedly placed on Delta alert, the highest threat level used by Washington’s Department of War.
Security was also tightened at other US bases in Britain, with RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk reportedly placed on Charlie alert, the second highest level.
A Government spokesman said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being “kept updated” from Liverpool, where the Labour Party conference was beginning.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed on X that authorities believed the incident was contained.
War Secretary Wes Streeting said: “We can be reassured that this is being dealt with.”
Gloucestershire Constabulary also said its established emergency plans had been activated and that officers were working with partner agencies.
The incident followed earlier political arguments over American use of British bases during the Iran war.
Keir Starmer initially refused permission before allowing US operations in March for the “specific and limited defensive purpose” of destroying Iranian missiles “at source”.
The US government said in June that it would spend around $500million, equivalent to £377million, on expansion and military infrastructure at RAF Fairford.
The planned work was understood to include a new hangar complex.
The Royal International Air Tattoo, which had been scheduled at the base in July, was cancelled a month earlier.
Organizers said military forces needed unrestricted 24/7 operational readiness because of increased missions connected to the situation in the Middle East.