Short answer: On Sunday, October 4, 2026, the Pentagon confirmed that all U.S. bombers at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England, thought to be about a dozen B-1s, had been sent back to their home stations in the United States. U.S. media reported the move followed new, more specific threat information about an Iran-backed plot against the base, including concerns about a possible drone attack. Iran has denied involvement.
The withdrawal came about a week after a September 27 incident in which police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the base and arrested five men on suspicion of terror offences; a sixth man was arrested later. All six were released on bail. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the bombers were moved “out of an abundance of caution.” The Pentagon says its bombers can still fly missions launched from the continental United States.
Source: BBC News: US removes all bombers from RAF Fairford base
Image: A crew chief marshals a B-1B Lancer at RAF Fairford, October 19, 2021. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colin Hollowell, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.