U.S. removes B-1 bombers from U.K. airbase targeted in suspected plot: Pentagon
A dozen B-1 bombers used in U.S. strikes on Iran had been deployed to RAF Fairford, northwest of London, which was targeted in a suspected terror plot.
The Pentagon has pulled all 12 B-1 bombers from the UK's RAF Fairford air base to their home stations in the US. According to The Hill, this move comes weeks after an alleged terror threat against a US-operated post in England.
The withdrawal was carried out with unusual swiftness and urgency after new threats of a plot linked to Iran emerged, as reported by Live Mint, citing The New York Times. A Defense Department official confirmed that all American bombers deployed at RAF Fairford had now returned to their home bases in the US.
The bombers were part of the US military campaign against Iran that began in late February, and RAF Fairford is a preferred forward operating base for bomber aircraft in Europe. The personnel who operate the US bomber fleet, including B-1s, B-2s and B-52s, remain prepared to carry out precision global strikes anywhere. UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting said Iran was likely responsible for the thwarted attempt to attack, after police arrested a British individual.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hill, Live Mint, CBC News — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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