The United States has withdrawn all of its bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following a security incident near the military base.
A Pentagon official confirmed that all US bombers deployed at Fairford have now returned to their home stations in the United States. The aircraft included B-1 bombers, with reports saying around a dozen had been based at the site.
The withdrawal comes after five British men were arrested on 27 September near RAF Fairford on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. Police had been alerted after three suspicious vehicles were reportedly seen close to the base.
A sixth person, a dual British-Iranian national, was later arrested in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with the investigation. All six people arrested in connection with the case have subsequently been released on bail, according to reports.
Police have said the investigation remains ongoing. No explosives were found in the three vans linked to the original five suspects, although officers recovered petrol from the vehicles. Authorities are continuing to examine several possible lines of inquiry, including potential foreign involvement.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said there were strong indications that Iran may have played a part in the incident. Iran has rejected any involvement and described the allegations as baseless.
The US has not publicly stated that the bomber withdrawal was specifically caused by the arrests. The Pentagon said the Air Force routinely moves bomber forces around the world and that the aircraft remain capable of carrying out operations from the United States.
RAF Fairford, about 100 miles west of London, has long been an important forward operating location for US bomber operations in Europe and has been used during American military operations in the Middle East.