London, October 6 – The United States Air Force has withdrawn all B-1B Lancer bombers from RAF Fairford, ending the bomber deployment at the Gloucestershire base. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that every US bomber at RAF Fairford has redeployed to home stations in the United States after operational security no longer required silence.
The B-1 bomber withdrawal follows a security incident near RAF Fairford in late September 2026. Five British nationals from London were arrested on suspicion of Explosives Act offenses and preparation of a terrorist act. A British Iranian national was arrested on October 1, 2026, on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. All six have been released on bail.
On October 4, 2026, a dozen B-1B Lancer bombers were tracked leaving the United Kingdom. The New York Times reported that three aircraft landed in South Dakota. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and US President Donald Trump have indicated that Iran is involved in the suspected plot. Investigators are examining whether the five men near Fairford were unwittingly recruited by Iran.
The Pentagon said airmen operating B-1s, B-2s, and B-52s remain ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities from the continental United States anywhere and at any time after the RAF Fairford redeployment.