US redeploys all bombers from RAF Fairford

The US Air Force has redeployed all bombers stationed at RAF Fairford to home stations in the United States, the Pentagon said Sunday. The withdrawal followed a security incident near the British base that is under investigation, but US officials have not publicly confirmed what prompted the move or established a direct link to the incident. A Pentagon spokesperson said all US bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had returned to their US home stations. An unnamed Pentagon official also confirmed the redeployment. The statement did not identify the aircraft or give a reason for their departure. Reports that B1 bombers flew out of the base on Sunday were consistent with the announced withdrawal, but the Pentagon did not provide a count. The move came after police were alerted on September 27 to suspicious vehicles near RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire. Five UK nationals were initially arrested in connection with the investigation and later released on bail. A sixth person, a UK-Iranian national, was arrested later and also released on bail. The arrests and releases do not establish that an attack was planned or that those arrested were responsible.