Major Incident Declared at RAF Fairford Air Base Used by U.S. Forces
British police declared a major incident after arresting several men on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act near RAF Fairford, an air base used by U.S. forces in southwest England. The Army's explosive ordnance disposal team is examining vehicles at the site as security has been heightened following reports that armed police blocked access to the main gate and emergency services were deployed nearby. The U.S. Air Force confirmed it was assessing force protection measures but declined to comment on specifics, emphasizing vigilance for safety of personnel and families. The base had previously been authorized by Britain to host operations targeting Iranian missile sites in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier this month, British officials stated their armed forces were prepared to defend against potential attacks after Iran warned against U.S. bomber flights from Fairford. The incident comes amid heightened concerns over hybrid threats and sabotage risks, with UK ministers briefing critical infrastructure providers about Russian-related security issues.
Topics: armed police Explosives Act RAF Fairford security breach U.S. Air Force