The Wall Street Journal reports US officials said on Sunday all B-1 bombers were
pulled from RAF Fairford amid concerns the base could be targeted in a terror
attack. The PENTAGON said operational-security constraints previously prevented
real-time confirmation of force movements but now confirms all US bombers that
had been at Fairford—12 aircraft prior to the withdrawal—have returned to US
home stations and retain the capability to conduct global strikes from the
United States. The pullback followed UK arrests of six suspects accused of
plotting an attack on the base; US and UK officials said a suspected plot was
foiled last Sunday and the UK prime minister said there are strong indications
of Iranian involvement, though the suspects were later released on bail and
investigations continue.
