5 arrested in suspected terror plot at UK base used by US Air Force

British authorities arrested five people early Sunday morning on suspicion of planning terrorist actions near a base used by the U.S. Air Force. 

The United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement that the incident started shortly before 1 a.m. local time Sunday, when police got a call about a trio of “suspicious vehicles” moving towards RAF Fairford in southwest England. Five suspects, who authorities have not yet identified, were arrested on suspicion of plotting terrorism and explosive actions. The exact nature and scale of the suspected attack was also not disclosed.

Counterterrorism officers are leading the investigation and searching the vans.

The Air Force has a major presence in the United Kingdom, and bases such as RAF Fairford, Lakenheath and Mildenhall have served as stopover points for bombers, transports and fighter jets deploying to the Middle East. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses and B-1B Lancers operated out of RAF Fairford to conduct missions against Iran at the start of the Iran war this year. The Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing is based out of Fairford.

In a statement to Task & Purpose, an Air Force spokesperson said that the “501st Combat Support Wing appreciates the swift response and continued support of our local law enforcement partners. The safety and security of our airmen, families, and surrounding communities remains our highest priority. We remain in close coordination with our U.K. partners to help ensure the safety and security of both our military and local communities.”

The Air Force declined to give specific answers on what security measures were in place, citing operational security. The Associated Press reported that RAF Lakenheath had gone on Force Protection Condition Charlie alert, the Department of Defense’s second-highest security threat level. 

Photos shared by Getty Images of RAF Fairford on Sunday show several American aircraft there, including B-1B Lancer bombers.

Speaking to reporters, President Donald Trump said the suspects were aiming to do “big damage.”

British authorities evacuated homes from the nearby village and cordoned off the area while British Army explosive ordnance disposal teams examined vans. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that the investigation is ongoing.

The U.S. use of bases in Europe has been controversial, drawing local pushback inside nations including the United Kingdom, and some governments have denied the U.S. its airspace for military flights. In April, more than a dozen people were arrested after attempting to blockade the main entrance to RAF Lakeneath.