The U.S. moved military aircraft from a British air base
The U.S. Air Force moved refueling tankers and Osprey aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, eastern England, on Monday amid a reported Iran-related threat, U.S. officials told The Associated Press. It was the second U.K. base from which U.S. aircraft had been moved in recent weeks.
Get The Augerton Digest by email.
NBC News, citing flight-tracking data, reported that at least eight tankers and three Ospreys departed. Tankers went to Germany and Spain; the Ospreys moved to RAF Lakenheath.
A U.S. official told the AP the relocation was proactive, not a response to an immediate threat. Some aircraft permanently based at Mildenhall may return, the official said.
The move followed the bomber withdrawal from RAF Fairford less than two months earlier during a police investigation into a suspected Iran-linked plot. The U.K. prime minister’s office said British bases are safe and the countries share intelligence.
Was this story useful?
What was the main problem? (optional)
Reporting behind this story
- NBC News — U.S. moves military aircraft from British base amid Iran threats
- BBC News — US military aircraft leave second UK base, report says
- Iran International — US moves aircraft out of second British base over Iran threat - WSJ
- Scripps News — US moves aircraft from another UK military base amid potential threat for Iran
- Hindustan Times — US relocates military aircraft from British base amid Iran threats
- csmonitor.com — Iran war: US moves military aircraft from a second British air base
- newschannel9.com — US moves aircraft from UK base amid reported Iran threat