Britain says its bases remain secure after US refuelling aircraft relocation
The United Kingdom affirmed the safety of its military installations after the United States moved several KC-135R tanker and Osprey aircraft from RAF Mildenhall amid reports of an Iranian threat.
Britain said on Tuesday that its military bases are secure after the United States relocated a number of large refuelling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England. Flight-tracking data showed at least ten Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker tankers left the base on Monday, with some heading to Germany, Scotland and Spain, while the destinations of the remaining aircraft were not disclosed. In addition, three Osprey multipurpose aircraft moved from Mildenhall to the nearby RAF Lakenheath, where video confirmed two of them taxiing on the runway after landing.
The U.S. European Command declined to comment on specific force-protection measures, stating that aircraft movements occur for a variety of reasons and operational security limits further detail. A spokesman for Prime Minister Andy Burnham said protecting Britain’s military sites is a top priority and that the government works closely with police and allies. He added that security measures are under constant review and that more than £2 billion is being invested in air-defence and counter-drone capabilities, confirming confidence that the bases are safe.
The Wall Street Journal reported the relocations were prompted by a threat from Iran, though the exact nature of the threat was still being discussed among U.S. officials. Iran has denied involvement in specific attacks on Britain, while its Revolutionary Guard has described U.S.-used airbases as legitimate targets. Earlier in September, the United States removed bombers from RAF Fairford after a security incident involving men in white vans, an episode that led to two arrests and accusations of attempted assistance to Iranian intelligence.
Britain’s domestic spy chief Ken McCallum said Iran-linked operations had resulted in more than 50 arrests over the past year and noted a shift toward targeting higher-value sites such as military installations. The U.S. reportedly raised the security posture at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to FPCON Charlie, the second-highest defensive threat level.