Washington, Oct. 5 (SANA) The U.S. Air Force redeployed all of its bombers stationed at RAF Fairford in Britain to their home stations in the United States on Sunday, following an investigation into a suspected terrorist plot targeting the base.
A Pentagon official confirmed the redeployment to The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to discuss sensitive military movements.
The Pentagon later confirmed that all U.S. bombers deployed to RAF Fairford had returned to their home stations in the United States.
Aircraft-tracking specialists had observed B-52 and B-1 bombers operating from RAF Fairford during the war against Iran, while B-1 bombers were seen departing the base on Sunday.
The redeployment followed a security investigation after British authorities arrested five men near RAF Fairford on Sept. 27 on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives-related offenses. A sixth suspect, a dual British-Iranian national, was arrested in London on Oct. 1 in connection with the investigation. The suspects were subsequently released on bail.
British counterterrorism authorities said the investigation was examining all possible lines of inquiry, including possible foreign-state involvement.
RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, is a key U.S. Air Force base for operating long-range strategic bombers in Europe and has hosted aircraft including the B-1, B-52 and B-2.
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