Everything we know as counterterrorism police investigate major incident near RAF base

Police have confirmed ‘several arrests’

Following the incident near RAF Fairford, several men have now been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act, Gloucestershire police confirmed.

Gloucestershire police said that a number of vehicles in the village of Whelford are being examined by the Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team.

Prior to the start of investigations, residents in the village near the base were evacuated, the BBC reported.

Police roadblock in place in Fairford, following the incident and evacuations of residents from their homes in Whelford. Credit: Getty Images

Police have not confirmed how many men have been arrested, only confirming that it was “several”.

Meanwhile, as per the BBC, the identities of those arrested have also not been revealed.

On the other hand, the US Air Force say they “remain vigilant” following the incident at the base which has long been used as a forward operating location by the American military.

Most recently, the military base has also been used by the US to deploy American bombers during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Investigations ongoing but incident ‘contained’

Emergency crews responding to the incident near RAF Fairfod believe it is now “contained”, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said.

She wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I would like to thank the emergency services for their swift response to the major incident in Gloucestershire this morning and their reassurance that they believe the incident is contained”.

“Whilst investigations are ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further”, she added.

Main gate of RAF Fairford, pictured on September 27, 2026 in Fairford, UK. Credit: Getty Images

History of RAF Fairford and the US Air Force

The history of the military base with the US Air Force (USAF) goes back decades.

It was during the Cold War and later the first Gulf War in 1991 when the site was occupied by USAF Strategic Air Command.

In 2003, the US Air Force also deployed B-52 bombers from the site on raids to Iraq.

RAF Fairford was used in March this year after former PM Keir Starmer granted permission for “defensive” US action against Iranian missile sites from the base.

In what the UK Ministry of Defence described as “defensive missions to destroy Iran's missile capabilities”, American heavy bombers soon started taking off from the base.

‘Charlie alert’ in Suffolk base and what it means

Following the incident near RAF Fairford, the US Department of Defence has raised the threat level at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, which hosts the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing.

The base is now on Charlie alert, RAF Lakenheath confirmed.

This is the second-highest threat level that the US Department of Defence can issue.

Threat level Charlie applies when “an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action targeting personnel or facilities is likely”, the US government says.

Meanwhile, it says that Delta applies “in the immediate area where a terrorist attack has occurred or when intelligence has been received that terrorist action against a specific location or person is imminent”.