What We Know About Explosives Arrests Near RAF Fairford Base

British police arrested several men on suspicion of explosives offenses Sunday near RAF Fairford, a U.S. Air Force base in west England, and evacuated nearby homes as a bomb disposal team examined vehicles close to the perimeter, according to NBC News.

Gloucestershire Police declared a major incident and said the situation was "contained" as of Sunday morning, though the force did not say how many men were arrested or what specifically they are accused of doing, NBC News reported.

What happened at RAF Fairford on Sunday morning?

Gloucestershire Police said in a statement that "a number of properties are currently being evacuated" following the arrest of "several men on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act," according to NBC News. RAF Fairford sits about 90 minutes outside London, near the village of Whelford in west England. The force did not confirm any link between the arrests and the base itself.

NBC News first published its report at 5:17 a.m. ET Sunday and updated it by 8:00 a.m. ET, tracking a fast-moving scene that included a large emergency-services presence.

By the numbers

• 90 minutes — driving distance from London to RAF Fairford, near the village of Whelford
• 5:17 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. ET — the window NBC News tracked developments Sunday, from first report to update

Who was arrested, and what are they suspected of?

Police said only that "several men" were arrested on suspicion of offenses under the Explosives Act. No names, ages, or nationalities were released, and police gave no detail on what the men are alleged to have done, NBC News reported. The Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team was examining "a number of vehicles" near the base, per the police statement carried by NBC News.

Helicopter footage from Sky News, NBC's international partner, showed multiple white vans close to the base that appeared to be searched by a bomb disposal robot, according to NBC News.

Why does RAF Fairford matter to U.S. Air Force operations?

RAF Fairford is a base the U.S. Air Force has used to support strikes on Iran, NBC News reported. Reuters, cited in the NBC story, reported that security measures at the base had been significantly increased in recent days before Sunday's incident.

A U.S. Air Force spokesperson told Reuters the service would not discuss specific force protection measures at the base. "The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families," the spokesperson said, according to NBC News. The spokesperson added: "We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families."

In March, then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the U.S. to use British bases for what NBC News described as "specific" purposes tied to American military operations, though the report did not detail further terms of that authorization.

What has been said officially?

The British government said Prime Minister Andy Burnham is being kept updated on the situation but that "it would be inappropriate to comment further whilst investigations are ongoing," according to NBC News. Gloucestershire Police likewise stopped short of tying the arrests directly to the base, describing the incident only as contained while the ordnance disposal team worked through the vehicles nearby.

Timeline of events

• March 2026: Then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer grants the U.S. permission to use British bases, including facilities like RAF Fairford, for specific military purposes, per NBC News.
• Recent days before Sept. 27: Security measures at RAF Fairford are significantly increased, Reuters reports.
• Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ~5:17 a.m. ET: NBC News reports police have arrested several men on suspicion of explosives offenses near the base and are evacuating nearby homes.
• By 8:00 a.m. ET: NBC News updates the story; police describe the incident as contained while the Army's ordnance disposal team continues examining vehicles.

What happens next?

Gloucestershire Police have not said when they expect to release further details on the arrested men or the nature of the suspected offenses. The evacuation of nearby properties remained in effect as the ordnance disposal team worked through the vehicles found close to the base, according to the police statement carried by NBC News. Downing Street has signaled it will not comment further until the investigation concludes, and the U.S. Air Force has not detailed what, if any, changes it is making to security posture at Fairford beyond its general statement about vigilance. Residents in Whelford and surrounding areas are likely to see continued emergency-service activity until police confirm the scene has been fully cleared.