World
The United States military has evacuated several aircraft from a second British airbase following a reported threat linked to Iran, raising fresh security concerns amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The aircraft were moved from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, eastern England, on Monday, November 9, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.
Flight-tracking data showed that nine Boeing KC-135 refuelling tankers and three Osprey aircraft left the base.
Most of the tankers were reportedly relocated to military bases in Germany and Spain, while one was moved to RAF Prestwick in Scotland. The three Ospreys were transferred to RAF Lakenheath, also in Suffolk.
The precise nature of the reported Iranian threat remains unclear, with US officials reportedly still assessing whether it was an immediate danger or a more general security warning.
The development comes as security at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath has reportedly been raised to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie, the second-highest defensive alert level in the US Department of Defense’s security system.
The alert level is activated when intelligence suggests that a terrorist attack or other hostile action is likely.
