27 Sep 2026 - British counterterrorism op near RAF Fairford

[brihard]

British Counterterrorism police have just done some sort of major takedown right outside RAF Fairford, an Air Force base hosting U.S. strategic bombers.

Not much info yet, but several arrests have been made and the village of Whelford at the east end of the base runway has been evacuated. Looks like EOD may be working a couple of vans. A police presser has been delayed.

At first glance an obvious potential theory is targeting of USAF personnel and/or assets at the base, which would presumably point back to Iran. That’s pure speculation though.

Yesterday it was separately reported that Fairford had been moved to Force Protection Condition Delta, their highest posture against imminent acts of terrorism. Some other bases hosting the U.S. went to FPCON Charlie, also very unusual.

No doubt more to follow.

EDIT TO ADD: I was able to find the exact location of the vans from the helicopter footage on BBC: Google Maps

RAF Fairford: Counter-terror police lead investigation into major incident near air base, officials say

Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. A British Army bomb disposal team is carrying out operations at the scene.

www.bbc.com

 

[brihard]

Police presser: delivered by local Gloucestershire police (cough- bullshit).

• ‘Three suspicious vehicles’ were heading towards the base at 0045 in the morning.
• Just so happened that overnight on this Sunday morning Gloucestershire Police had suitable trained and equipped armed officers ready to go. I don’t for a moment imagine they were from Hereford.
• Army EOD working three vans in the village of Whelford. 400m cordon established.
• Five men in custody.

News just reported that the five men have been ‘further arrested’ on suspicion of ‘preparation of a terrorist act’. No names yet.

News also just said this is claimed to have not been intelligence led. The talking head on the news is more than a bit skeptical.

BBC is already talking about the potential of state sponsorship.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Police presser: delivered by local Gloucestershire police (cough- bullshit).

• ‘Three suspicious vehicles’ were heading towards the base at 0045 in the morning.
• Just so happened that overnight on this Sunday morning Gloucestershire Police had suitable trained and equipped armed officers ready to go. I don’t for a moment imagine they were from Hereford.
• Army EOD working three vans in the village of Whelford. 400m cordon established.
• Five men in custody.

News just reported that the five men have been ‘further arrested’ on suspicion of ‘preparation of a terrorist act’. No names yet.

News also just said this is claimed to have not been intelligence led. The talking head on the news is more than a bit skeptical.

BBC is already talking about the potential of state sponsorship.

That's the bullshit part - at 12:45am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning, they just happened to have sufficient armed police stationed at the right spot, at the right time.......

 

[brihard]

That's the bullshit part - at 12:45am on a Saturday night/Sunday morning, they just happened to have sufficient armed police stationed at the right spot, at the right time.......

Clearly this was intelligence led and probably building for at least days but more likely weeks. I’d love to know how the takedown went.

 

[Gordon Dundas/]

How the takedown went?
To use the current buzzword Dynamically.
With a lot of light and noise measured in milliseconds I would imagine.

 

[dapaterson]

Clearly this was intelligence led and probably building for at least days but more likely weeks. I’d love to know how the takedown went.

Excuse me old chap.

Yes?

Rather sorry to disturb but we fear you and your blokes make be terrorists.

Oh bother.

 

[daftandbarmy]

British Counterterrorism police have just done some sort of major takedown right outside RAF Fairford, an Air Force base hosting U.S. strategic bombers.

Not much info yet, but several arrests have been made and the village of Whelford at the east end of the base runway has been evacuated. Looks like EOD may be working a couple of vans. A police presser has been delayed.

At first glance an obvious potential theory is targeting of USAF personnel and/or assets at the base, which would presumably point back to Iran. That’s pure speculation though.

Yesterday it was separately reported that Fairford had been moved to Force Protection Condition Delta, their highest posture against imminent acts of terrorism. Some other bases hosting the U.S. went to FPCON Charlie, also very unusual.

No doubt more to follow.

EDIT TO ADD: I was able to find the exact location of the vans from the helicopter footage on BBC: Google Maps

RAF Fairford: Counter-terror police lead investigation into major incident near air base, officials say

Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. A British Army bomb disposal team is carrying out operations at the scene.

www.bbc.com

BGS! (Bloody good show).

Happens more often than hits the papers, believe it or not...