- Pentagon confirms B-52 and B-1 bombers have returned to US bases as Trump weighs next steps in Iran conflict
WASHINGTON: The United States has redeployed its strategic bombers from RAF Fairford in England to their home bases in the United States, following a security investigation into an alleged terrorist plot linked to the US-operated military facility.
A Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss sensitive military movements, confirmed Sunday that the bombers had been moved back to the United States.
Aviation monitoring groups, including the Military Air Tracking Alliance, had tracked dozens of US B-52 and B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford since the early stages of the conflict with Iran. Flight-tracking observers reported that a number of B-1 bombers departed the base on Sunday.
The redeployment comes at a sensitive moment as President Donald Trump considers his next course of action in the conflict with Iran, including the possibility of additional military strikes. Trump had initially indicated that the campaign would be limited to several weeks.
“We have decisions that I’ll make about Iran. Iran’s been decimated. So the only question is — it’ll either be the easy way, or the hard way,” Trump told reporters Saturday as he departed the White House for a rally in Ohio.
Security Investigation at RAF Fairford
The bomber redeployment follows a security investigation launched after an incident at RAF Fairford in late September.
A dual British-Iranian national was arrested in central London last week on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack. British authorities have also detained five other individuals in connection with the investigation. All six were subsequently released on bail.
British authorities have linked the suspected plot to Iran, although Tehran has denied any involvement.
Located approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, RAF Fairford has served as a key forward operating location for US strategic bombers for decades and has supported American military operations in conflicts across the Middle East.
US Maintains Major Military Presence in Region
Despite the bomber redeployment, the United States continues to maintain a substantial military presence in the Middle East.
A US official said Thursday that the recently deployed USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, along with the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group, is heading toward the region.
The amphibious group consists of several vessels carrying more than 7,000 sailors and approximately 2,000 Marines. The deployment could bring the number of US aircraft carriers operating in the region to three by the end of October, according to the official.
The latest movements underscore Washington’s continued military readiness as the Trump administration weighs its options and seeks to determine the next phase of its Iran strategy.
BY: The Times Union
