The Wall Street Journal says the US raised the alert at Mildenhall and Lakenheath to Charlie and moved tankers after a reported Iranian threat. On 9 November, 2 tankers diverted to Germany before others moved later that day. In all, 10 tankers moved to Germany, Spain and Scotland, and Osprey aircraft went to Lakenheath. British sources said Mildenhall and the surrounding area faced no immediate or direct danger.
The US moved 10 refueling tankers from RAF Mildenhall in England to bases in Germany, Spain and Scotland on 9 November, while Osprey transport aircraft went to nearby RAF Lakenheath, The Guardian said. The paper attributed an account of a possible Iranian threat to The Wall Street Journal. British sources told The Guardian there was no immediate or direct danger to Mildenhall or the surrounding area.
The Wall Street Journal said 2 tankers using Mildenhall diverted to Germany that morning; several other tankers moved to Germany and other locations later in the day. It also said security at Mildenhall and Lakenheath had been raised to Force Protection Condition Charlie, the US Department of Defense’s second-highest defensive threat level. That level applies when intelligence indicates a form of terrorist action is likely.
The War Zone quoted flight-tracking account DefenceGeek as saying several KC-135s had moved to Spangdahlem or Prestwick and CV-22Bs from Mildenhall to Lakenheath; their purpose was unclear at the time. In its 9 November report, The War Zone said it could not establish what prompted enhanced protection, whether it was connected to the Fairford incident, or whether the aircraft movements were precautionary or routine shifts of resources.
A US official told The War Zone that enhanced protection was in effect at both bases but declined to identify the measures for security reasons. The US military described its security steps as coordinated and appropriate. US European Command likewise declined to discuss specific steps and said the bases remained vigilant with British partners. Neither statement confirmed the reported Charlie designation.
US Air Forces in Europe–Air Forces Africa said aircraft move between locations for training and operational needs but gave no details of these movements. The UK Ministry of Defence said it did not routinely comment on other nations' aircraft activity. Those responses did not confirm why the aircraft moved.
Speaking to veterans and their families at Arlington National Cemetery on 11 November, President Donald Trump predicted the conflict would end soon.
Asked about the Mildenhall report, UK Education Secretary and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell declined to comment on live operations and said base security was constantly under review. Her response did not confirm the reported evacuation.
Mildenhall and Lakenheath are US Air Force hubs in England. Mildenhall’s 100th Air Refueling Wing operates KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft that refuel other planes in flight; Lakenheath hosts fighter aircraft. The US official said American authorities were working with British counterparts to limit the effects of the added protection on personnel, families and the local community.
Mildenhall also hosts RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft, CV-22 Osprey tiltrotors and MC-130J Commando II special operations cargo planes. Lakenheath hosts F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
A Lakenheath Facebook notice quoted by The War Zone urged people to report suspicious activity, including unauthorized drones, to Security Forces. The outlet said any connection to the enhanced protection was unclear.
The new measures follow a separate security incident at RAF Fairford, a British base used by US bombers for strikes on Iran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in July that Fairford and other bases used to launch attacks on Iran were legitimate targets. Five men were arrested near Fairford in September on suspicion of driving vans carrying bombs toward it; they were released on bail after no explosives were found. A US defense official confirmed to The War Zone that B-1B bombers returned to their home stations a week after the incident. The outlet reported that new Iranian threats against the base prompted the rapid departure. Iran’s ambassador to Britain denied involvement in any plot against Fairford.
Politico reported that bombers were withdrawn from Fairford in October after a security incident it described as Iran-linked.
The Guardian reported that Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, both 24, were charged under the National Security Act 2023 with assisting Iranian intelligence in connection with the incident. Essghir was among the five initially arrested near the base; Abdulkarim is accused of buying the vans.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in October that the Fairford activity was likely coordinated in Iran.
There is no established connection between the Fairford incident and the new measures at Mildenhall and Lakenheath. The Wall Street Journal said US officials were still discussing the precise nature of the reported Mildenhall threat. US officials say they continually assess protection at the bases.
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