US moves 12 aircraft from RAF Mildenhall amid Iran threat
- Twelve US aircraft were relocated from RAF Mildenhall on November 9.
- The move follows intelligence indicating a potential threat from Iran.
- Security at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath is at FPCON Charlie.
- Relocated assets include KC-135R tankers and CV-22B Osprey tiltrotors.
- This is the second US military withdrawal from a UK base due to Iranian threats since September.
The U.S. The move included nine KC-135R Stratotanker refueling aircraft from the 100th Air Refueling Wing and three CV-22B Osprey tiltrotors from the 352nd Special Operations Wing’s 7th Special Operations Squadron.
The military redeployed these assets to protect them from the identified security threat.
Destinations for KC-135R and CV-22B assets
The relocated aircraft moved to various locations in Germany, Spain, and Scotland. Flight-tracking data from the evening of November 9, 2026, indicated 10 KC-135 Stratotankers departed the base, according to CBS News.
Other reporting states most KC-135R tankers transferred to Ramstein Air Base or Morón Air Base in Spain, with one tanker diverting to Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The three CV-22B Osprey tiltrotors moved to RAF Lakenheath, which currently hosts U.S.
Security status raised to FPCON Charlie
A US official confirmed to The War Zone on 9 November that enhanced force protection measures are in effect at both locations. The Daily Mail reported the upgrade on 10 November.
Official statements on security measures
A US official stated that the military takes proactive measures to ensure aircraft, personnel, and installations remain safe and secure. Regarding security protocols, the official told The War Zone that the military constantly assesses factors to determine which measures to institute or modify to protect installations, people, and their families.
Remaining assets at RAF Mildenhall
Certain US Air Force assets remained at RAF Mildenhall during the 9 November relocation.
Context of previous Iran-linked threats at RAF Fairford
The September security incident at RAF Fairford led to the withdrawal of 12 USAF B-1B Lancer bombers to the United States on 4 October. This move marked the first of two times in just over a month that the US military pulled aircraft from a British base due to threats linked to Iran.
Since February 2026, the US Air Force launched B-1B and B-52H bomber strikes against Iran from RAF Fairford as part of Operation Epic Fury. Intelligence regarding a potential Iranian drone attack and the arrest of five British nationals and one UK-Iranian national near the base perimeter in September preceded the bomber withdrawal.
There were some threats.". Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were strong indications of Iranian involvement in the incident, though Tehran denied any role.
Strategic assessment of current threat levels
Regional commanders are currently adopting a cautious approach to security, which includes dispersing assets and raising the force protection status at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath. The aircraft moved from RAF Mildenhall include KC-135R Stratotankers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing and CV-22B Ospreys from the 352nd Special Operations Wing’s 7th Special Operations Squadron.
The recent movement of aircraft does not necessarily mean that an attack is imminent. These developments highlight how intelligence-led security concerns impact the posture of US forces in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
- USAF disperses aircraft from RAF Mildenhall amid fresh Iran threat (adsadvance.co.uk)
- Reported Iran threat sees U.S. moves planes from second U.K. base (yahoo.com)
- Iran threat prompts pullout of U.S. military planes from British base (upi.com)
- US 'evacuates aircraft from second RAF base after Iran threat' | Daily Mail Online (dailymail.com)
- US Air Force evacuates aircraft from a base in England because of a threat (norfolkdailynews.com)
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