US Pulls Tankers from RAF Mildenhall After Iran Threat: What We Know
The US moved refuelling aircraft out of RAF Mildenhall after a threat from Iran and raised the alert level at two British bases. Here is what is confirmed.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / David Warrington from England
LONDON, Nov. 10 — The United States moved military aircraft out of RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Monday after a threat from Iran, relocating refuelling tankers to bases in Germany, Spain and Scotland and raising the security alert at two British airfields used by the US Air Force.
Two KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft were diverted from Mildenhall to Germany early on Monday, and several more tankers followed later in the day, according to US officials familiar with the matter. The US Department of Defense raised the security posture at RAF Mildenhall and nearby RAF Lakenheath to Force Protection Condition Charlie, the second-highest alert level in the US military's system.
Key Takeaways
- At least 10 US refuelling aircraft left RAF Mildenhall on Monday, Nov. 9, after a threat from Iran, relocating to Germany, Spain and Scotland.
- The US Department of Defense raised RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath to Force Protection Condition Charlie, its second-highest alert level.
- It is the second British base US aircraft have left in recent weeks, after B-1 bombers left RAF Fairford last month over a suspected Iran-backed plot.
- US officials have not disclosed the precise nature of the threat, and the US Air Force has not said when the aircraft will return.
Which Aircraft Left RAF Mildenhall and Where Did They Go?
Flight-tracking data showed 10 US refuelling aircraft relocated from RAF Mildenhall on Monday — four KC-135 Stratotankers to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, one to Ramstein, four to Morón Air Base in Spain, and one to Glasgow Prestwick airport in Scotland. Separate counts put the total at 12, including three Osprey transport aircraft.
RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, hosts the US Air Force's 100th Air Refueling Wing, which operates KC-135 Stratotanker and CV-22 Osprey aircraft. A US Air Force spokesperson declined to give details, saying aircraft rotate between installations.
| Destination | Country | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Spangdahlem Air Base | Germany | 4 KC-135 Stratotankers |
| Ramstein Air Base | Germany | 1 KC-135 Stratotanker |
| Morón Air Base | Spain | 4 KC-135 Stratotankers |
| Glasgow Prestwick Airport | Scotland | 1 KC-135 Stratotanker |
What Is FPCON Charlie and Why Was It Raised at Two RAF Bases?
Force Protection Condition Charlie is the second-highest of five alert levels used by the US Department of Defense, applying when intelligence indicates that a terrorist action is likely. It was raised at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, a second base in eastern England used by the US military.
The move follows a similar withdrawal last month, when the Pentagon sent B-1 bombers back to the United States from RAF Fairford over a suspected Iran-backed plot to kill American pilots and target aircraft with drones. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously named RAF Fairford and similar bases as targets.
Why Is Iran Threatening US Military Bases in the UK?
The precise nature of the threat to RAF Mildenhall remains under discussion among US officials, and it is not clear whether it was imminent or precautionary. The Director of National Intelligence said in October that Iran was in "advanced stages" of planning to target US personnel in the Middle East.
Tensions have risen on several fronts: France blamed Iran's Revolutionary Guard for a cyberattack on supermarket refrigeration systems, Canada reimposed sanctions on 11 Iranian entities on Monday, and the US Secretary of State said recent talks with Iran produced no breakthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the US evacuate aircraft from RAF Mildenhall?
The United States moved aircraft out of RAF Mildenhall on Monday after a threat from Iran, according to US officials familiar with the matter. The precise nature of the threat is still under discussion.
How many aircraft left RAF Mildenhall and where did they go?
Flight-tracking data showed 10 refuelling aircraft relocated from Mildenhall on Monday — four to Spangdahlem and one to Ramstein in Germany, four to Morón in Spain, and one to Glasgow Prestwick in Scotland. Separate counts put the total at 12, including three Ospreys.
What does FPCON Charlie mean at RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath?
Force Protection Condition Charlie is the second-highest alert level used by the US Department of Defense, applying when intelligence indicates that a terrorist action is likely. It was raised at both RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath.
When will the aircraft return to RAF Mildenhall?
The US Air Force has not said when the aircraft will return to Mildenhall, and the Pentagon has not announced any further changes to the security posture at the two bases.
