(../../../../../../pf/resources/img/defensenews-logo-white.png@d=145&mxId=00000000)       (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=145)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon-32x32.png@d=145)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=145)  (https://www.defensenews.com/pf/resources/img/favicons/def/safari-pinned-tab.svg?d=145)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon.ico@d=145)    (https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/09/27/terror-suspects-wanted-to-do-big-damage-to-air-base-used-by-us-trump-says/)                   (https://d1voyiv1eh2vzr.cloudfront.net/)  (https://p.typekit.net/)  (https://use.typekit.net/)  (https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com/)  (https://www.defensenews.com/#publisher)  Terror suspects wanted to do ‘big damage’ to air base used by US, Trump says     (../../../../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=IBM+Plex+Serif%253Aital,wght@0,300%3B0,400%3B0,500%3B0,600%3B0,700%3B1,300%3B1,400%3B1,700&display=optional.css)  (../../../../../../../use.typekit.net/azw8xnv.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/components/output-types/default.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/components/combinations/default.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/css/military-times.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)   Sections     Search     Sections Sections      (Defense News Logo) (https://www.defensenews.com/) (Defense News Logo)   (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership   Search             Close            (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress Show Congress sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/) Budget     (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/) Training & Sim  (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/) Unmanned  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global Show Global sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/) Asia Pacific  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/) Europe  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/) Mideast Africa  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/) The Americas     (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/) Industry Show Industry sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/) MilTech  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100Opens in new window   (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window      (https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/) Interviews  (https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/) Opinion  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video Show Video sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/video/dntv/) Defense News Weekly  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/money-minute/) Money Minute     (https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/) Outlook  (https://www.defensenews.com/press-release/) Press Releases  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership Show Thought Leadership sub sections      (https://hub.sightlinemediagroup.com/market-intel/) Whitepapers & eBooksOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/special-coverage/) DSDs & SMRsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) WebcastsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window      (https://link.defensenews.com/join/5ba/signup-newsletters?source=dfn-nav) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events) Events Calendar  (https://www.defensenews.com/native/) Native  (https://www.defensenews.com/ebb/) Early Bird Brief  (https://defensenews-va.newsmemory.com/) Digital EditionOpens in new window          Featured: (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Send us your pitch  (https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/air-force-association/) AFA Air, Space & Cyber Coverage  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100 Defense Companies                   (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe) Europe    Terror suspects wanted to do ‘big damage’ to air base used by US, Trump says By Toby Shepheard, Reuters    Sep 27, 2026, 04:19 PM                                ()    A police officer blocks a road near the RAF Fairford airbase, which hosts U.S. Air Force personnel, in Fairford, Gloucestershire, Britain, Sept. 27, 2026. (Toby Shepheard/Reuters)    British police on Sunday arrested five men near an air base used by U.S. forces on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses after a tip that three vans were heading to the military airfield, which has been used to strike Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said the suspects had been looking to do “big damage” and had been under investigation by British and U.S. authorities.     British counter terrorism detectives leading the investigation said police received a call about three suspicious vehicles that appeared to be traveling towards RAF Fairford in the west of England in the early hours of Sunday. Five men were arrested by armed officers and later held on suspicion of preparation of a terrorist act. Police said they believed the incident was now contained. POLICE WORKING TO UNDERSTAND CIRCUMSTANCES  “We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said in a statement.      “As you would expect, we are working closely with our partners to understand the circumstances of the incident.”  Police said a 400-meter cordon was in place around the base as the bomb disposal unit investigated the vans. Local residents in 85 homes in a nearby village were evacuated, and armed officers were patrolling the site.  ()    Light Tactical Vehicle drives at the perimeter of the RAF Fairford airbase, Sept. 27, 2026. (Toby Shepheard/Reuters)  The British government, which has given authorization to the U.S. to use bombers based at Fairford to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was being updated on the incident. “I know today’s incident near RAF Fairford will be deeply concerning for local residents and for many people following developments across the country,” Burnham wrote on X.     Britain said in July its armed forces were ​ready to protect the country from any attack after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned it not to allow U.S. bombers to ‌fly from Fairford, saying any base used to launch attacks would be a legitimate target. Police have not said who they believed was involved in Sunday’s alleged incident. An Iranian-linked motive is considered the most likely, a source familiar with the investigation said, while a Russian sabotage operation or an Islamist plot are also being looked at. “The arrest in the UK was fantastic,” Trump told reporters, saying it was “an amazing job.” “We had them under investigation. They were looking to do big damage to our port and working with the British worked out great. ... We had them under view for a long time, and we got them,” Trump added.     On Sunday morning the base was blocked by armed police while large machinery also prevented access. Reuters witnesses said security had been increased at other bases used by the U.S., with armored vehicles and soldiers at the gates of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in eastern England.  DECLARATION OF A MAJOR INCIDENT  “A cordon is in place as a precaution, and the public can expect to see an emergency services presence in the area for some time,” Gloucestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone told reporters. The Daily Mail website carried a photograph of five men without shirts who it said had been arrested.  A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force declined to discuss specific force protection measures.      “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 U.S. service members, civilians, contractors, and their families,” the spokesperson said.  “We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.”  British ministers have also previously briefed providers of critical infrastructure on the threat posed by Russia, with the government increasingly concerned about possible sabotage operations and cyberattacks. Russia denies mounting hybrid attacks on Western nations. A British military air base in central England was broken into in June 2025 by the Palestine Action protest group, which has since been proscribed as a terrorist organization. Share:                             (https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military) More In Your Military  ()     (/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) Trust between operators, CCAs starts with simulations: Former Air Force secretary  Simulations and exercises will be key to boosting trust between operators and CCAs, according to former U.S. Air Force secretary Frank Kendall.        ()     (/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) (https://www.defensenews.com/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) Celebrating 40 years of Defense News  Since 1986, Defense News has been the authoritative voice for the world's defense decision-makers.        ()     (/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) (https://www.defensenews.com/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour  In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise.        ([object Object]) ()     (/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) (https://www.defensenews.com/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington  The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more.        ()     (/unmanned/2025/09/11/pentagon-stages-first-top-drone-school-for-operators-to-hone-skills/) (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2025/09/11/pentagon-stages-first-top-drone-school-for-operators-to-hone-skills/) Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills  Industry and military drone operators flew tethered and untethered first-person drones through a course designed to test endurance and maneuverability.              Featured Video    (/video/2026/09/23/leonardo-drs-showcases-jtt-x-hybrid-satcom-for-tactical-aircraft/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/23/leonardo-drs-showcases-jtt-x-hybrid-satcom-for-tactical-aircraft/) Leonardo DRS Showcases JTT-X Hybrid SATCOM for Tactical Aircraft        ()     (/video/2026/09/23/airmen-design-ai-powered-shotgun-for-last-ditch-drone-defense/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/23/airmen-design-ai-powered-shotgun-for-last-ditch-drone-defense/) Airmen design AI-powered shotgun for last-ditch drone defense        ()     (/video/2026/09/21/looking-into-the-future-of-the-air-force-defense-news-weekly-full-episode-92226/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/21/looking-into-the-future-of-the-air-force-defense-news-weekly-full-episode-92226/) Looking into the future of the Air Force | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.22.26        ()     (/video/2026/09/21/pulling-duty-in-the-heat-product-lets-you-put-ice-on-your-back-then-drink-it/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/09/21/pulling-duty-in-the-heat-product-lets-you-put-ice-on-your-back-then-drink-it/) Pulling duty in the heat? Product lets you put ice on your back, then drink it                       Trending Now (/news/your-military/2026/09/25/desolate-arctic-outpost-likely-to-host-us-troops-under-new-greenland-deal/) (https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2026/09/25/desolate-arctic-outpost-likely-to-host-us-troops-under-new-greenland-deal/) Desolate Arctic outpost likely to host US troops under new Greenland deal        (/unmanned/2026/09/25/ukraines-deadly-ai-training-platform-for-drone-tech-opens-to-uk-companies/) (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/2026/09/25/ukraines-deadly-ai-training-platform-for-drone-tech-opens-to-uk-companies/) Ukraine’s deadly AI training platform for drone tech opens to UK companies        (/global/europe/2026/09/25/france-to-send-military-to-protect-saudi-arabia-on-red-sea-oil-route-macron-says/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/25/france-to-send-military-to-protect-saudi-arabia-on-red-sea-oil-route-macron-says/) France to send military to protect Saudi Arabia on Red Sea oil route, Macron says        (/global/europe/2026/09/24/report-cia-warned-europe-of-russian-drone-attack-from-vessels-in-the-mediterranean/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/24/report-cia-warned-europe-of-russian-drone-attack-from-vessels-in-the-mediterranean/) Report: CIA warned Europe of Russian drone attack from vessels in the Mediterranean        (/global/europe/2026/09/25/trump-administration-obligates-307m-for-military-aid-to-ukraine/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/09/25/trump-administration-obligates-307m-for-military-aid-to-ukraine/) Trump administration obligates $307M for military aid to Ukraine                         (https://www.facebook.com/DefenseNews)   Facebook page  (https://twitter.com/defense_news)   Twitter feed  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/rss/)   RSS feed    Defense News © 2026  Terms of Use (https://www.defensenews.com/m/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/terms-of-services/) Terms of Service    Get Us (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/m/defense-news-rss-feeds/) RSS FeedsOpens in new window   (https://subscribe.sightlinemg.com/collections) Shop MerchOpens in new window     Contact Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/advertising/) Advertise  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/contact-us/) General Contacts, Subscription Services  (https://www.defensenews.com/editorial-contacts/) Editorial Staff  (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window     About Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/about-us/) About Us  (https://boards.greenhouse.io/sightlinemediagroup?gh_src=cpxe2a1) CareersOpens in new window      (Defense News Logo)         (gtm)