US Moves Military Aircraft From UK Base Over Iran Threat
US Moves Military Aircraft From UK Base Over Iran Threat
The United States has moved several military aircraft from a British airbase following a reported threat from Iran, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The aircraft were evacuated from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Mildenhall base in eastern England on Monday, November 9, the newspaper reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to Sky News, 12 aircraft, comprising nine Boeing KC-135 refuelling tankers and three Osprey transport aircraft, left the base.
Two of the refuelling tankers were diverted to Germany earlier in the day, while other aircraft were moved to Germany and different locations.
The precise nature of the threat against RAF Mildenhall remains unclear, with the WSJ reporting that it was still under discussion among US officials.
The development comes weeks after Washington withdrew B-1 bombers from another British military installation, RAF Fairford, following security concerns linked to Iran.
The United States also reportedly raised security levels at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie, the second-highest level in the US military’s security system.
The level is activated when intelligence indicates that a terrorist attack may be likely.
A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence declined to comment specifically on the movement of American aircraft, saying, “We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations. Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements.”
A US Air Force spokesperson also declined to provide details, saying American aircraft routinely rotate between installations and operating locations for various reasons.
The latest development comes amid heightened security concerns in Britain over possible Iranian-linked threats against military installations used by American forces.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously warned that British bases used by the United States to launch attacks against Iran could be considered legitimate targets.
