Early Sunday, September 27, armed officers arrested five men near RAF Fairford, the British air base where U.S. B-52 and B-1B bombers have flown missions in the war with Iran. Police moved in after a call at about 12:45 a.m. about three suspicious vehicles heading toward the base.
Story Highlights
- Police got a call about three suspicious vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford and arrested five men in the nearby village of Whelford.
- The five men are held on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act.
- An Army bomb-disposal team examined the vehicles inside a 400-meter cordon, and about 85 households were evacuated.
- Counter Terrorism Policing is leading the investigation, and police said they believe the incident is contained.
Police Action Near A Base Used By U.S. Bombers
Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident after the arrests. The call came in around 12:45 a.m. and reported three vehicles traveling toward RAF Fairford. Armed officers responded and arrested five men in the Whelford area, right next to the base. All five are held on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. “The men were taken into custody where they remain,” police said.
RAF Fairford matters to Americans. B-52 and B-1B bombers flew daily missions from the Gloucestershire airfield during the height of the war with Iran, and a group of B-1B bombers is still based there. That is why a middle-of-the-night call about vehicles heading for the base set off such a large response.
Later on Sunday, President Trump told reporters the suspects had been watched for some time. “We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage,” he said. “We had them under view for a long time, and we got them.” He praised the joint work with Britain: “Working with Britain, it was an amazing job.” British police have not said what the men planned or what was in the vehicles.
Bomb Squad, Cordon And Evacuations
The Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examined the vehicles. Police set up a 400-meter cordon around them while the experts worked. About 85 households were asked to leave their homes as a precaution. A nearby leisure center opened for families who could not stay with friends or relatives.
Police told residents they believe the incident is contained. The cordon stayed in place while the vehicles were checked. For families in Whelford, the night meant leaving home and waiting while bomb experts checked the vehicles nearby.
Counter-Terrorism Police Lead The Inquiry
Counter Terrorism Policing took the lead in the investigation after the arrests. That unit now runs the case. The men are held on suspicion of Explosives Act offenses. Police have not released their names.
Police have not said what was in the vehicles. They have not released a motive. The confirmed facts are these: a call about three vehicles, five arrests, a bomb squad at the scene, 85 households moved out and a counter-terrorism unit in charge.
Why This Matters To U.S. And U.K. Readers
RAF Fairford is a key part of joint U.S. and British defense work. American bomber crews fly from its runway, and U.S. bombers have flown missions from it in the war with Iran. Any threat near such a site touches security plans on both sides of the Atlantic.
This response followed a clear order. Armed officers responded and arrested the men. Police cleared nearby homes and brought in Army bomb experts. Then they handed the case to counter-terrorism officers. Moving fast to protect the public, and saying only what they can confirm, is what people on both sides of the ocean expect from those in charge.
Sources:
gloucestershire.police.uk, reuters.com, cnn.com, bbc.co.uk
