Five men were arrested Sunday near R. A. F.

Fairford, a British air base used by the U.S. military, on suspicion of terrorism after suspicious vehicles were spotted approaching the site. The arrests occurred shortly after midnight in Gloucestershire, southwest England, following a tip to police. The men are being held under the Explosives Act and for preparation of a terrorist act, though their identities remain undisclosed per British policing rules.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone and senior national counterterrorism coordinator Vicki Evans confirmed the investigation is in early stages, with close coordination between UK and U.S. authorities. President Trump praised the response, claiming the suspects had been under surveillance and intended to cause "big damage." The U.S. Air Force and European Command deferred to British investigators but affirmed ongoing vigilance for personnel safety. The U.S. Embassy in London advised American citizens to exercise caution.

R. A. F.

Fairford, with a runway over 9,990 feet, has hosted B-52 and B-1 bomber missions to Iran since late February 2026, despite initial opposition from former PM Keir Starmer. Current PM Andy Burnham called the incident "deeply concerning" but urged against speculation. The base, opened for D-Day in 1944, remains a strategic U.S. deployment site in Europe.