The U.S. military transferred nine refueling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in England to bases in Germany and Spain on Monday, amid reports that the move was prompted by a threat from Iran. Sources cited by The Wall Street Journal did not establish whether the threat was imminent or more general.
Public flight tracking records reviewed by CBS News Confirmed showed that 10 KC-135 Stratotankers departed the base in southeast England. Four arrived at Germany's Spangdahlem Air Base, and another landed at Ramstein Air Base, the headquarters of U.S. Forces Europe. Four reached Morón Air Base in southern Spain on Monday. The remaining aircraft landed at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland.
Three U.S. Osprey tiltrotor transport aircraft also moved from Mildenhall to RAF Lakenheath on Tuesday. Lakenheath is another installation in England used by American forces. Whether those flights and all the tanker movements were connected to the reported Iranian threat remained unclear.
A U.S. official told CBS News on Tuesday that the military takes preventive steps to protect its personnel, aircraft and installations, but did not address individual movements. An Air Force spokesperson said aircraft regularly move between bases for training and operational needs. The spokesperson added that their presence is governed by agreements with allies and partners, and declined to disclose further details for operational security reasons.
The 100th Air Refueling Wing, which has operated from Mildenhall for years, did not immediately answer CBS News' request for comment. It is the only U.S. refueling wing permanently stationed in Europe. The latest transfers follow the departure of all U.S. Air Force long-range bombers from RAF Fairford just over a month earlier, after a security incident at that English base, which had been used for strikes on Iran.
The Fairford case involved suspects arrested near the base on Sept. 27 on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses. They were subsequently released on bail. Security-related charges followed a month later.
Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, was charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service and engaging in conduct likely to materially help such a service carry out activities related to the United Kingdom. Nouman Essghir, also 24, faced a national security charge involving approaching or being near a prohibited place for a purpose he knew, or reasonably should have known, threatened British safety or interests.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the BBC in October that there were strong indications of Iranian involvement in the September incident. He offered no details, describing the police investigation as ongoing, complex and serious, and said British authorities were working closely with their U.S. counterparts.
British counterterrorism police said extensive searches of three vehicles used by the men arrested near Fairford uncovered no explosives. Officers found some fuel and several large plastic drums, most of which were empty.
