RAF Mildenhall, England — More Than 12 US Aircraft Leave UK Base

More than 12 US Air Force aircraft have left RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, in the past two days, according to BBC News. The departures follow the US withdrawal of bombers from RAF Fairford weeks earlier over a suspected Iran-linked security incident.

How many aircraft left and where did they go

Using the flight-tracking site Flightradar24, BBC Verify counted 10 USAF Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft leaving Mildenhall throughout Monday, BBC reported. Two of those jets first flew to US bases in Germany and Italy before landing at Spangdahlem air base in southwest Germany. Later Monday, more KC-135s left Mildenhall: two to Spangdahlem, one to Ramstein in Germany, and four to Morón air base in southern Spain, according to BBC.

Three Osprey aircraft also left the base, BBC reported. One, belonging to the Nebraska Air National Guard, flew to Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire, Scotland. It was not clear whether that was a planned stopover before the aircraft returned to its home base, per BBC.

A Stratotanker that departed Tuesday afternoon headed toward Germany, BBC reported.

Why are the aircraft leaving the UK

The Wall Street Journal reported that the departures were a response to a further threat from Iran, according to BBC News, which said it had not independently verified that claim. The moves come weeks after the US pulled bombers from RAF Fairford over what BBC described as a suspected Iran-linked security incident.

What have UK and US officials said

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to confirm details of the US movements. "We do not routinely comment on the activity of other nations. Aircraft and other assets move regularly according to operational requirements," the spokesperson told BBC.

Downing Street said UK bases remain secure. The prime minister's official spokesperson said "the protection of our bases, both in the UK and across the world, is a top priority," according to BBC.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell told BBC Breakfast she could not comment on the matter, per BBC's report.

BBC noted there was no apparent additional security visible at Mildenhall on Tuesday, and areas where the public can photograph aircraft remained open.

What is RAF Mildenhall used for

About 3,000 military personnel are stationed at Mildenhall, roughly 80 miles north of London, according to BBC. The base is used mainly for refueling and maintenance. Presidential flights, including those carrying Donald Trump, have passed through it; Trump transited Mildenhall in July after a NATO summit in Ankara. The base has also served as a staging point for aircraft and material headed to the Middle East, with tankers forward-deployed during operations against Iran, BBC reported.

Timeline of departures

• Weeks before Nov. 10: US bombers withdrawn from RAF Fairford over a suspected Iran-linked security incident.
• Monday, Nov. 9: 10 KC-135 tankers and three Osprey aircraft leave RAF Mildenhall for bases in Germany, Italy and Spain.
• Tuesday, Nov. 10: Another KC-135 departs Mildenhall for Germany.

What to watch

• Whether more aircraft leave Mildenhall or other UK bases in coming days.
• Any formal confirmation from the Pentagon or US Air Forces in Europe on the reason for the moves.
• Whether the UK government alters public security measures at Mildenhall or Fairford.
• Further reporting on the specific nature of the alleged Iran-linked threat.