US military moves tankers from RAF Mildenhall amid renewed Iran threat
US refueling tankers were moved from RAF Mildenhall to Germany on Monday as security levels were raised in response to a new threat from Iran.
By Hassan Ellis ·
US military forces evacuated aircraft from a second airbase in Britain on Monday, November 10, in response to a perceived threat from Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported the move, citing individuals familiar with the matter, noting that this follows a similar withdrawal from RAF Fairford weeks earlier. That previous incident involved the removal of bombers after a suspected security breach linked to Iran.
According to the report, two US refueling tankers operating at RAF Mildenhall diverted to Germany earlier in the day on Monday. Later, several additional tankers stationed at the base were relocated to Germany and other unspecified locations. US officials are currently discussing the precise nature of the threat facing RAF Mildenhall, though specific details have not been fully disclosed to the public.
In conjunction with the aircraft movements, the United States upgraded the security posture at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. A US official indicated that the bases were moved to Force Protection Condition Charlie. This designation represents the second-highest defensive threat level within the US Department of Defense system and is typically implemented when intelligence suggests that a terrorist action is likely to occur.
A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defense maintained a standard protocol regarding the event. They stated that they do not routinely comment on the activities of other nations. The spokesperson added that aircraft and other assets move regularly based on operational requirements, suggesting that such rotations are a common occurrence in military logistics.
A US Air Force spokesperson declined to provide the Wall Street Journal with specific details about the asset movements. The spokesperson explained that US aircraft rotate between various installations and operating locations for a variety of reasons. Meanwhile, Reuters was unable to reach the US Air Force immediately. The White House, the Pentagon, and US European Command did not respond to requests for comment sent outside of regular business hours.
This latest development comes weeks after a significant security incident at RAF Fairford in south-west England. In September, five men were arrested outside the airbase regarding a security breach. Two additional individuals were later arrested on suspicion of assisting Iranian intelligence. The incident attracted substantial international attention due to the heightened concerns regarding western security during the ongoing war between the US and Iran.
The circumstances of the Fairford incident remain largely unexplained. The event prompted the US to remove its B-1 bombers from the base on security grounds. RAF Fairford had been utilized by US bombers to conduct strikes on Iran, making it a critical asset in the conflict. The sudden removal of these heavy bombers highlighted the vulnerability of key airbases to potential espionage or sabotage.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham commented on the matter last month. He stated that the activity at RAF Fairford was likely coordinated in Iran. This assessment added to the diplomatic tension between London and Tehran regarding the security of British soil used for American military operations.
Iran’s diplomatic stance on the issue has been mixed. Tehran’s ambassador to Britain has denied accusations that Iran was involved in any plot against the airbase. However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a statement in July declaring that the Fairford base, along with any other base used to launch attacks against Iran, constituted legitimate targets. This rhetoric has increased the urgency for US commanders to protect their assets in the region.
