U.S. military personnel evacuated KC-135 tanker aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in the United Kingdom due to a threat from Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reports this, citing its own sources.
Two tankers were initially sent to Germany, after which the evacuation of the remaining aircraft began.
A total of nine KC-135s and three V-22 Osprey tiltrotors were relocated from RAF Mildenhall.
Most of the aircraft were sent to Germany and Spain, while one was relocated to Prestwick airfield in Scotland. The tiltrotors were moved to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
RAF Mildenhall is located in eastern England and is used by the U.S. Air Force. It is home to the 100th Air Refuelling Wing, which operates KC-135 aircraft.
The exact nature of the Iranian threat remains unknown. U.S. officials are investigating whether it involved a direct danger to the aircraft and personnel or a broader threat to U.S. military facilities in the United Kingdom.
Security measures have also been tightened at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, with the bases placed under FPCON Charlie. This is the second-highest protection level in the U.S. Department of Defense system, applied when intelligence indicates a likelihood of a terrorist attack.
U.S. Air Force representatives did not disclose the reasons for the redeployment, stating that military aircraft are regularly moved between bases in accordance with operational requirements. The UK Ministry of Defence also declined to comment on the actions of the U.S. military.
This is the second UK airbase from which the U.S. has relocated aircraft amid reports of threats from Iran.
As Militarnyi previously reported, in early October, the U.S. military withdrew all 12 B-1B Lancer strategic bombers from RAF Fairford following an incident involving an alleged terrorist plot.
Source: Militaryni
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