US Pulls At Least 10 KC-135 Tankers From RAF Mildenhall After Reported Iran Threat

At least 10 US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker refueling aircraft left RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Monday, November 9, according to flight-tracking data reported by Reuters. The Wall Street Journal said the move followed a threat from Iran. It is the second apparent evacuation of US aircraft from a British base in three months.

Of the tankers that left, one flew to a base in Germany, one to Scotland and two to Spain. The destinations of the other six were not reported. At least three Osprey tiltrotor aircraft also moved from Mildenhall to nearby RAF Lakenheath, about 4 miles away.

Where the tankers went, as far as reported. Routes are schematic. Militrax graphic.

Security raised to FPCON Charlie

Citing a US official, the Wall Street Journal reported that security at Mildenhall and Lakenheath was raised to FPCON Charlie, the second-highest US force protection level. The paper said the exact nature of the threat was still being discussed among US officials.

US European Command said the Air Force moves aircraft between locations for many reasons and would not comment on force protection for operational security reasons. The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Andy Burnham said protecting British military bases was a top priority, that security is reviewed constantly with police and allies, and that Britain is investing more than £2 billion in air defence and counter-drone capabilities. Asked whether the bases were safe, he said yes.

A KC-135 Stratotanker of the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall. File photo, U.S. Air Force (public domain).

A pattern since September

Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, the US Air Force's only permanent tanker wing in Europe, which makes it central to US air operations from the UK.

In September, the US moved bombers that had been used in strikes on Iran out of RAF Fairford on security grounds, after a group of men approached the base in white vans. Two men were charged last month over that incident, and prosecutors allege one tried to assist Iranian intelligence. The episode remains largely unexplained.

British officials have warned for months that Iran is planning attacks in the UK and recruiting people online to carry them out. Domestic intelligence chief Ken McCallum said last month that Iran-linked activity had led to more than 50 arrests in a year. Iran denies links to specific attacks in Britain, while its Revolutionary Guards have called airbases used by US forces legitimate targets.

Neither government has publicly confirmed the threat behind Monday's move.