The United States military has withdrawn all of its heavy bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, returning the aircraft to their home stations on Sunday.
A US Department of Defense official confirmed the complete withdrawal, which tracking websites verified throughout the day. The fleet was believed to include approximately 12 B-1 Lancer bombers.
While Washington offered no official reason, Whitehall sources linked the decision to a major security event on September 27.
Authorities were alerted to three suspicious vehicles approaching the airfield, prompting counter-terrorism police to arrest five men from London on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses.
A sixth suspect, a UK-Iranian national, was arrested in London on Thursday. All six have since been released on bail as the police investigation continues.
Official communications described the withdrawal as a military operational decision conveyed directly from US military officials to their UK Ministry of Defence counterparts.
Political Reactions and Foreign Links
Addressing the security incident shortly after the initial arrests, the British Prime Minister commented on potential foreign involvement.
"There are strong indications that Iran played a part in the incident," said Andy Burnham, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Tehran has strongly denied any involvement.
However, Iranian officials had warned in July that any base used for offensive operations against Iranian territory would be considered a legitimate target.
Diplomatic figures in Washington also addressed the foreign security concerns during initial police inquiries.
"It clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor," said Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State.
US leadership separately voiced concerns regarding the release of the suspects on bail while local police continue their inquiries.
"We know everything about them, we would not have released them," said Donald Trump, President of the United States.
Trump noted that UK authorities had worked with the United States very closely on the matter despite the investigative decision by local law enforcement.
Military officials emphasized that the redeployment of the strategic aircraft to the United States will not affect global striking capabilities.
"Bombing aircraft remain able to conduct missions anywhere, anytime, including through operations that launch and recover from the continental United States," said the Pentagon.
RAF Fairford has served as a key forward operating facility for the US Air Force for decades.
In recent months, US forces executed long-range strike operations into the Middle East from the station using precision-guided weapons.
