U.S. moves aircraft from British base amid reported Iran threat

The U.S. military has moved refueling planes and transport aircraft from a base in England as security measures increased there, amid a reported threat from Iran. Officials confirmed aircraft had left RAF Mildenhall but did not say whether the movements were a response to a specific threat.

A U.S. official told NBC News that several aircraft had departed the base in Suffolk and that personnel were operating under “enhanced force protection measures.” The official would not describe the threat that appeared to have prompted the tighter security. The Wall Street Journal first reported that the aircraft were moved because of a threat from Iran; people familiar with the matter told the newspaper its nature remained unclear.

Public flight-tracking data reviewed by CBS News showed 10 KC-135 Stratotanker refueling planes leaving Mildenhall on Monday. Four arrived at Morón Air Base in Spain, four at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, one at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and one at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland. NBC News reported that tracking data showed at least eight tankers leaving the base.

Three U.S. Osprey tiltrotor aircraft also left Mildenhall for nearby RAF Lakenheath. CBS News reported that they arrived Tuesday and said it was unclear whether every aircraft movement was connected to the reported threat.

“We take proactive measures to ensure our aircraft, our people, and our installations remain safe and secure,” a U.S. official told NBC News and CBS News. A U.S. military spokesperson said aircraft rotate among bases for reasons including training and operational requirements, and declined to discuss specific movements because of operational security. Britain’s Ministry of Defense said it does “not routinely comment on the activity of other nations,” adding that aircraft move regularly according to operational needs.

The moves follow the withdrawal of U.S. bombers from another British base, RAF Fairford, after a security incident there in September. The base had been used to launch strikes on Iran. Five men were detained on Sept. 27 after three suspicious vans were spotted traveling toward Fairford, NBC News reported. CBS News said British counterterrorism police found no explosives in extensive searches of the vehicles, but did find fuel and large, mostly empty plastic drums. The five men were later released on bail, according to CBS News. Two other men were subsequently charged with national security-related offenses.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in October that there were “strong indications that Iran played a part” in the Fairford incident, while stressing that the police investigation was continuing. Tehran has denied involvement in any plot against the base, NBC News reported.

NBC News also reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned in July that bases used to attack Iranian territory would be legitimate targets. Iran has threatened retaliation if the American-Israeli war against it resumes, including a response beyond the Middle East.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington had responded to reported threats against American diplomats overseas by “moving people away from the threat.” President Donald Trump, citing “momentum” in negotiations to end the war, said further U.S. attacks “won’t be necessary” at this point, while warning that Washington remained “locked and loaded” if circumstances changed.