On Sunday, police declared a major incident near RAF Fairford after several men were arrested on suspicion of Explosives Act offences. Properties in Whelford were being evacuated, and an Army bomb-disposal team was examining several vehicles.
RAF Fairford is used by US air forces. Britain authorized the US to use the base for strikes on Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The report did not link that authorization to the arrests.
A US Air Force spokesperson declined to discuss specific force-protection measures, saying the 501st Combat Support Wing and other UK-based wings remained vigilant and would take appropriate steps to protect personnel, civilians, contractors and their families. Separately, in July, Britain said its armed forces were ready to protect the country after Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned against allowing US bombers to fly from Fairford.
