The United States has withdrawn all its bombers from the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford base in Gloucestershire, returning them to their home stations in America. The announcement was made on Sunday by a US department official.

The decision follows a significant security incident on September 27, when counter-terror police were alerted to three suspicious vehicles near the airbase. Five men, all UK nationals aged between 23 and 25, were initially arrested on suspicion of explosives offences and later on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. They have since been released on police bail.

A sixth man, a 25-year-old UK-Iranian national, was arrested later in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts and was also released on bail. Police described the bail decisions as investigative and strategic.

Whitehall sources have indicated that the US withdrawal is a direct response to the incident, and the BBC has been informed that the decision was operational, made by the US military and communicated to British counterparts, rather than a political one. The UK's Ministry of Defence has not issued a comment on the withdrawal or the incident.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham suggested days after the incident that there were strong indications of Iranian involvement, though he did not provide specific details. Tehran has vehemently denied any participation in the events.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Fox News that the incident "clearly involve[d] the hands of a foreign actor," but stated he was limited in what he could disclose publicly. Separately, US President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the release of the five men on bail, stating that the UK had worked closely with the US on the matter.

RAF Fairford has historically served as a forward operating location for the US Air Force (USAF). In recent months, the base has seen US bombers operating for missions in the Middle East, following UK approval of a US request to use the site for defensive strikes. In July, Iran had warned that any base used for aggression against its territory would be considered a legitimate target.

The withdrawal of the bombers raises questions about future US military operations from the UK and the perceived security implications for bases used in operations concerning Iran. The ongoing police investigation into the suspicious vehicles and the arrested individuals continues to be a focus for counter-terror authorities.