Men Arrested as Major Incident Declared Near UK Air Base Used by US Forces

FAIRFORD, England, September 27, 2026 — British police arrested several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act near RAF Fairford in southwest England on Sunday, prompting the evacuation of nearby homes and the deployment of an Army bomb-disposal team to examine vehicles.

Key Points

• Several men were arrested near RAF Fairford on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act.
• Nearby homes were evacuated after police declared a major incident in the Whelford area.
• Army bomb-disposal specialists were deployed to examine several vehicles.
• Police said the situation was contained, while the investigation remains ongoing.
• Authorities have not confirmed any link between the arrests and a planned attack on RAF Fairford, Iran or US forces.

Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident in the Whelford area, close to RAF Fairford, which hosts United States Air Force personnel. A cordon was established while specialist explosive ordnance disposal experts examined a number of vehicles, and residents from several properties were moved to a nearby leisure centre.

Police said they believed the situation was contained and urged people to stay away from the affected area while the investigation continued.

The arrests have drawn particular attention because RAF Fairford has been an important base for US military operations. Reuters reported that Britain had authorised the United States to use the base for strikes against Iranian missile sites targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Air Force has also increased its security posture at the installation.

However, there is no public confirmation that the arrests were connected to an attack or planned attack on RAF Fairford. The police investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not publicly identified the suspects or disclosed what prompted the arrests.

An eyewitness cited by Reuters reported armed police blocking access to the main gate of the base, while emergency vehicles gathered in the surrounding area. Local residents were evacuated as the Army’s specialist team assessed the vehicles.

A US Air Force spokesperson said personnel at RAF Fairford remained vigilant but declined to discuss specific force-protection measures for operational-security reasons.

“The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant,” the spokesperson said, adding that the US military continually assesses security factors affecting its installations and personnel.

The incident comes against a heightened security backdrop. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had previously warned that British bases used to support US military operations could be considered legitimate targets. Britain has also raised concerns in recent months about potential sabotage and other threats to critical infrastructure.

For now, police have provided no evidence publicly linking the arrested men to Iran, the US military or any wider terror plot. The immediate operation remains focused on the explosives investigation and the examination of vehicles in the area.