Homes Evacuated and Men Arrested Near US Air Base in Britain

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British police evacuated homes in the village of Whelford near RAF Fairford on Sunday after declaring a major incident and arresting several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.

Gloucestershire Police said residents were moved to a local leisure centre while specialist Army bomb-disposal teams examined several vehicles at the scene. The police established a security cordon around the area and said the incident remained under control.

The village lies close to RAF Fairford, which the United States Air Force uses as a base. A large emergency-services presence responded to the incident, including a Hazardous Area Response Team.

Gloucestershire Police said: “Several properties are currently being evacuated in the Whelford area following the declaration of a major incident.”

The force added that the evacuations followed the arrests of several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and said officers were working closely with partner agencies while implementing established emergency plans.

Army explosives specialists were examining vehicles as part of the investigation. Police have not publicly disclosed what prompted the arrests or whether officers found an explosive device.

US Air Force increases vigilance

A US Air Force spokesperson told LBC that the force was aware of the reports and remained vigilant.

“For operational security reasons, we will not discuss specific protective measures,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that the 501st Combat Support Wing and other US Air Force wings based in the UK would take appropriate measures to protect American military personnel, civilians, contractors and their families.

The US Air Force also said it continuously assesses factors that determine the security measures it implements or modifies to protect its facilities and personnel.

RAF Fairford and recent tensions

RAF Fairford has played a role in US military operations and became a focus of heightened attention after the United States used the base for air operations against Iran earlier this year.

The base was described as a “legitimate target” in July following its use in the US strikes. A US B-1 bomber also departed from Fairford for operations against Tehran, prompting condemnation from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Authorities have not said that Sunday’s arrests are connected to those previous military operations, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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