US moves aircraft from RAF Mildenhall amid Iranian threat

The United States military transferred multiple refueling aircraft from the Royal Air Force Mildenhall base in England on Monday, citing a potential threat linked to Iran, according to a Wall Street Journal report that referenced sources familiar with the situation. Two tankers were sent to Germany in the morning, and additional aircraft were moved to Germany and other locations later in the day.

A U.S. Air Force spokesperson declined to comment on the specific movements but noted that aircraft routinely rotate among bases for a variety of operational reasons. The evacuation follows a similar relocation from RAF Fairford in October, when B-1 bombers were returned to the United States over concerns about a suspected Iran-backed plot targeting American pilots and planes.

Iran has previously warned that UK airfields used by U.S. forces in strikes against Tehran could be considered legitimate targets for retaliation. Top congressional leaders were briefed on the alleged Iranian threat, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the situation was being addressed by moving personnel away from the risk.

The United States also recently raised the security posture at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to FPCON Charlie, a level applied when intelligence suggests a terrorist act may be likely, a U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal.