Five Detained Near U.K. Base Operable by U.S. Air Force
Counter-terrorism officers in the U.K. are investigating a suspected bomb plot near RAF Fairford after detaining five men.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Sep 28, 2026
U.K. counter-terrorism authorities have released on bail five men who were detained near a Gloucestershire military airbase used by the U.S. Air Force, according to reporting by Reuters.
Police initially detained the suspects after responding to a late-night call from a local resident regarding suspicious vehicles parked near Royal Air Force Base Fairford, as detailed in a separate Reuters report. Armed officers intercepted three vans, prompting a major emergency response that included a 400-meter cordon and the temporary evacuation of 85 nearby households.
The men, all British nationals in their 20s, were initially held on explosives charges and later re-arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Laurence Taylor confirmed that the suspects were released under stringent bail conditions while inquiries continue, according to BBC News. Officials confirmed that forensic teams completed extensive examinations of the three vehicles as evacuated residents were permitted to return home.
It has been reported that investigators are examining multiple angles, including whether the individuals were operating on behalf of a foreign state or as external proxies. RAF Fairford serves as a primary staging point for long-range U.S. military operations, housing units such as the 501st Combat Support Wing along with strategic bomber rotations. Elevated security protocols remain in place while the investigation proceeds.