Police declare major incident at UK’s Fairford air base, used by US air forces

British police announced on Sunday that several men had been apprehended in connection with alleged offenses under the Explosives Act. Concurrently, the military is scrutinizing multiple vehicles following heightened security measures at RAF Fairford, a British air base utilized by US air forces in southwest England.

The UK government previously authorized the US to employ RAF Fairford for strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. An eyewitness reported that armed officers were obstructing access to the primary gate of the base. Approximately 30 emergency vehicles, including police cars, ambulances, and fire engines, were stationed in the nearby village of Fairford.

Around 30 properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area in response to the declaration of a major incident. This followed the arrest of several individuals suspected of violating the Explosives Act. The Army's specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is presently inspecting several vehicles.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures. The 501st Combat Support Wing and their UK-based counterparts remain alert and will implement necessary actions to safeguard their personnel, families, and contractors. US officials emphasized their continuous assessment of various factors to determine suitable security measures.

In July, Britain affirmed its military readiness to shield the nation from potential threats after Iran's Revolutionary Guards cautioned against permitting US bombers to depart from RAF Fairford. British officials have also conferred with critical infrastructure providers regarding the looming dangers posed by Russia, including the risk of sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia has denied orchestrating hybrid attacks on Western countries.