13 US aircraft moved from England base amid threat
Aircraft from RAF Mildenhall were relocated to Scotland, Spain, and Germany following a warning linked to Iran, according to open-source analysts.
By Amir Navarro ·
The U.S. Air Force moved 13 aircraft out of a base in eastern England to protect personnel and equipment. The planes departed RAF Mildenhall for locations in Scotland, Spain, and Germany. This action follows a specific threat identified by U.S. intelligence.
A U.S. official told The Associated Press that the relocation was a proactive measure. The official said the military is agile and ready to respond to potential dangers. They did not specify the source or nature of the threat. The planes may return to their original home base.
The Military Air Tracking Alliance confirmed the movement. This group of roughly 30 analysts monitors government flight activity. They observed the departure of the 13 aircraft from Mildenhall. The group noted that the fleet included Osprey tiltrotors and midair refueling tankers. Some of these planes were permanently assigned to the base, while others were on temporary rotation.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on the evacuation. It cited sources familiar with the matter who said the threat was related to Iran. The move comes less than two months after a similar incident at RAF Fairford. At that time, the U.S. Air Force withdrew bombers while police investigated a suspected terror plot linked to Iran.
RAF Mildenhall hosts the 100th refueling wing. It is the only permanent refueling wing in the European region. The wing operates the KC-135 Stratotanker. This four-engine jet has a 131-foot wingspan and can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo. The base raised its alert level to FPCON Charlie.
FPCON Charlie is the second highest alert level. It applies when intelligence indicates a terrorist action is likely. The alert protects personnel and facilities at the base. The Pentagon has not immediately confirmed the change in status. A U.S. Air Force official in Europe said the U.S. is taking coordinated actions to ensure safety.
The official stated that aircraft rotate between bases for training and real-world requirements. The U.S. military constantly assesses security factors. The official declined to provide further details on force protection for operational security reasons. Both U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The U.K. prime minister’s office said British air bases remain safe. It described security as a top priority. The office said the U.K. and U.S. are in constant communication. The two nations share intelligence and assess threats together. The U.K. Defense Ministry said it does not comment on the activity of other nations.
Last September, five men were detained after suspicious vans traveled toward RAF Fairford. That base is U.K.-owned but used by American bombers in Middle East conflicts. Two men have since been charged under the National Security Act. The current move at Mildenhall follows that pattern of heightened vigilance.
Analysts tracking the flights noted the diversity of the aircraft involved. The mix of transport and refueling assets suggests a broad precautionary move. The relocation affects operations at three different countries. The U.S. military aims to maintain readiness while reducing exposure to the identified risk.
