U.S. Moves Aircraft From RAF Mildenhall After Iran Threat

The U.S. military moved aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Monday, November 9, after a reported threat from Iran, while security measures were increased at Mildenhall and nearby RAF Lakenheath. The threat’s nature and whether it prompted each aircraft movement have not been publicly confirmed.

Two refueling tankers were diverted from Mildenhall to Germany on Monday morning, with additional aircraft leaving later in the day, according to reporting based on flight-tracking data and people familiar with the matter. Flight-tracking accounts identified 13 departures: 10 KC-135 tankers and three Ospreys. Reports placed the tankers in Germany, Spain and Scotland; accounts differed on whether the Ospreys went to Lakenheath or another Suffolk airbase.

A U.S. official confirmed that enhanced protection measures were in effect at both Mildenhall and Lakenheath but did not identify the threat. The installations were reported to have been raised to Force Protection Condition Charlie, a level associated with intelligence or an incident indicating terrorist action is likely. U.S. officials were assessing whether the reported threat was imminent or more general, according to...