British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford in western England on Sunday after receiving information about three suspicious vans heading towards the US air base.
Armed officers detained the men, who were later held on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act. Police said the incident was contained, while a 400-metre cordon was placed around the base as bomb disposal teams examined the vans.
President Trump Praises Joint US‑UK Operation After Terror Suspects Arrested in Plot Against RAF Fairford Base, Preventing Potential Mass Casualties #Trump #UKSecurity #RAFfairford #TerrorAttackFoiled #USUKAlliance @POTUS pic.twitter.com/hEMh32HLBh
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President Donald Trump praised the arrests, saying the suspects had been under surveillance for a long time.
“We had them under view for a long time and we got them.”
Trump also said the suspects were allegedly planning to cause major damage to the base, adding that cooperation between U.S. and British authorities had worked well.
An Army bomb squad has been called in as police continue a wider investigation into the case.
Local residents were evacuated, with 85 homes affected, while armed officers patrolled the area. Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident.
“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said.
RAF Fairford has been used for US bomber operations, with the British government authorising the US to use aircraft based there to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Security was also increased at other US-used bases, including RAF Lakenheath, according to Reuters witnesses. The US Air Force said it remained vigilant and would take appropriate measures to protect its personnel, civilians, contractors and families.
