Five men arrested near US air base in UK on terrorism charges
British counterterrorism police arrested five men in the early hours of Sunday morning on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act near RAF Fairford, a strategically vital US Air Force base in Gloucestershire, southwest England.
Armed officers detained the suspects after emergency services received a call about three suspicious vehicles traveling toward the base. The incident prompted authorities to declare a major event and evacuate 85 households from the nearby village of Whelford.
London's Metropolitan Police confirmed they are leading the investigation into the incident, which they believe has been contained. A 400-meter security cordon remains in place around three large white vans stopped on a rural road near the base, with army bomb disposal experts examining the vehicles.
US President Donald Trump told reporters the suspects had been "looking to do big damage" at the base. "We had them under view for a long time, and we got them," he said, confirming close cooperation between US and UK authorities on the matter.
Heightened security concerns
The arrests come against a backdrop of heightened security concerns. The UK's national terrorism threat level was raised from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE in May 2026, meaning a terrorist attack is assessed as highly likely. The increase was driven by rising threats from both Islamist and extreme right-wing terrorism.
A local resident who alerted emergency services described seeing three vans blocking the road with a large group of men wearing hoods and balaclavas. She told the PA news agency it was "astonishing" that it had effectively been down to a "plucky amateur" spotting unusual activity to raise the alarm, particularly given local knowledge that the base was on lockdown due to a terror threat.
Strategic importance of RAF Fairford
RAF Fairford holds unique strategic importance as the only US Air Force bomber forward operating location in Europe. Built in 1944 to support D-Day operations, the base features one of the longest runways in the UK at approximately 3,046 meters, making it suitable for heavy bombers including B-52 Stratofortress and B-1 Lancer aircraft.
In March 2026, then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer granted permission for US forces to use RAF Fairford for defensive strikes against Iranian military capabilities. The base became the main European launch point for US heavy bombers during the 2026 Iran conflict, potentially making it a target for retaliatory action.
Investigation and response
Broadcast aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot moving around the vans, two of which had their rear doors open. Armed officers could be seen guarding the entrance to the base throughout Sunday.
The 501st Combat Support Wing, headquartered at RAF Fairford, stated in a release that no US Air Force personnel were involved in the incident. "We remain in close coordination with our UK partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities," the wing added.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took office in July 2026, was kept updated on the incident while attending his Labour Party's annual conference in Liverpool. He thanked police, armed forces and residents who evacuated their homes "while precautionary checks are carried out."
Defense Minister Wes Streeting said he had been in contact with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and confirmed the UK was "working closely with our American friends." When asked about potential Iranian involvement, he said it would be "irresponsible to speculate."
Growing threats to military installations
The incident reflects growing concerns about threats to UK military installations. In the year to August 2026, British military sites experienced 340 drone security incidents, up from 250 in 2025 and 126 in 2024. Defense experts have attributed many of these intrusions to hostile actors operating on behalf of Russia and Iran.
Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood has previously accused Iran and Russia of using proxies to carry out criminal activities on UK territory. The March 2026 attacks on British military bases in Cyprus and Diego Garcia during the broader Iran conflict marked the first time British sovereign facilities came under direct attack.
Local impact and evacuation
Residents from Whelford were evacuated to a nearby leisure center, with most able to leave in their cars when police knocked on doors in the early hours. District councilor Tristan Wilkinson said many evacuees were concerned about pets left behind and hoped the cordon would be reduced quickly.
Julian Tudsbery, a villager, recounted how his neighbor first alerted authorities after attempting to call the airbase police, who did not answer. She then dialed emergency services to report the suspicious activity.
Gloucestershire police confirmed several men were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. As of March 2026, there were 267 people in custody for terrorism and terrorism-connected offenses in Great Britain, the highest number since comparable records began.
