UK Police Arrest Five Men Near RAF Fairford Air Base Used by US Forces

British police arrested five men on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in connection with what was declared a 'major incident' near RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire used by the US Air Force. The operation began in the early morning hours after police received an emergency call at approximately 12:45 a.m. reporting three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be heading toward the airbase.

The Metropolitan Police, which leads investigations into potential terrorism-related activity in the UK, took charge of the case alongside local counter-terrorism units. The five men taken into custody are being held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and offenses under the Explosives Act. Armed officers detained the group after the vehicles were spotted near the base.

As a precautionary measure, around 85 households in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated. An army bomb disposal team was dispatched to examine several of the vehicles involved. Authorities also implemented additional security measures, including roadblocks and reinforced checkpoints at the base's entrances.

RAF Fairford is a British air force installation that has long hosted US Air Force personnel and operations. Since the outbreak of war with Iran in February 2026, the base has served as a launch point for American strikes against Iranian targets, including missile sites threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer had granted permission in March 2026 for such 'defensive' operations to be conducted from two UK bases, including Fairford, though he later voiced opposition to the broader war.

US President Donald Trump publicly commented on the incident, stating that the suspects had been looking to do 'big damage.' According to Trump, the men had already been under investigation by both British and American authorities prior to their arrest. Further details regarding the specific findings of the investigation or any possible connections the suspects may have to foreign actors have not been officially confirmed.

Iran had previously warned that bases used to launch strikes against its territory could themselves become legitimate targets. Reports also indicated that British ministers had separately been discussing potential threats to critical infrastructure from Russia, though no direct link to this specific incident has been established.

US Air Force personnel stationed at the base were instructed to remain vigilant following the incident. Police have since stated that the immediate situation is contained, though the investigation remains ongoing. Questions remain regarding the exact nature of the suspects' plans, whether explosives were actually found in the examined vehicles, and whether any broader network might be involved.

International coverage of the incident has consistently highlighted the base's central role in the ongoing Iran conflict, as well as heightened security concerns in the UK amid rising geopolitical tensions. Further developments, including possible formal charges against those detained or additional details about the incident's background, are expected from authorities in the coming days.