Air Force
Mildenhall: US moves tanker aircraft from a second British base over an Iranian threat – the security level now in force – sources
The US Air Force moved aerial refuelling aircraft out of RAF Mildenhall on November 9 over a reported Iranian threat, the Wall Street Journal says; Mildenhall and Lakenheath moved to FPCON Charlie.
US aircraft have been moved away from a second base in Britain because of an Iranian threat. The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that on Monday, November 9 the US Air Force moved aircraft away from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, home of the 100th Air Refueling Wing and its KC-135 Stratotankers.
Two refuelling aircraft using Mildenhall were diverted to Germany on Monday morning, and later in the day several more were moved to Germany and other locations. Within the US government the debate continues over whether the threat is immediate or more general. A US official told the newspaper that Mildenhall and neighbouring Lakenheath moved to force protection level FPCON Charlie, which is activated when intelligence indicates a terrorist act is likely.
Asked on Monday about concern that Iran is planning attacks on Americans, Secretary of State Marco Rubio replied: “We dealt with it by moving people away from the threat.” The White House referred questions to the Pentagon, while the congressional leaders known as the “Gang of Eight” were briefed on the Iranian threats on Monday.
What US authorities confirm officially
The US Air Force gave no details. In a written reply it noted that US aircraft “move between bases and operating locations for a variety of reasons.” US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) told The War Zone that for operational security reasons they would not give more information about the movements of their assets. A US official confirmed to the same outlet that “enhanced force protection measures are in effect at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall,” without describing them.
Lakenheath base urged local residents in a Facebook post to report any suspicious movement, especially unauthorised drones, noting that “our strongest security asset is a vigilant community.” The same base was recently in the spotlight over work on 22 shelters for US nuclear bombs. Open-source flight-tracking data showed KC-135s heading to Spangdahlem in Germany and Prestwick in Scotland, and CV-22Bs moving from Mildenhall to Lakenheath.
RAF Fairford had come first. In October the 12 B-1 bombers stationed there also left, after concerns, revealed by the Wall Street Journal, about an Iran-backed plot to assassinate American pilots and strike aircraft with drones, which Tehran denied. In late September five men had been arrested on suspicion of driving vehicles with explosives towards Fairford, but were released on bail as no explosives were found. Two men were later arrested and one was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service, which police say is most likely Iran. On October 13 MI5 had warned that Iran is now targeting military bases in Britain.
