US Pulls Military Aircraft from UK Air Base Again — Why?

The United States has withdrawn its military aircraft from Mildenhall air base in the UK. This is the second such move in recent months, after Washington also withdrew a number of military aircraft from another British air base in October.

The withdrawal was reported by the leading US newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing several sources familiar with the matter, AFP reported on Tuesday (10 November 2026).

The WSJ said several US aerial refuelling aircraft were evacuated from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England on Monday (9 November), local time.

According to the newspaper, the US military aircraft were withdrawn following the emergence of alleged threats from Iran.

The WSJ stressed that the “exact nature” of the Iranian threat was still “under discussion” among US officials.

British media outlet Sky News reported on Tuesday (10 November), citing flight-tracking sources, that 12 US military aircraft had left RAF Mildenhall on Monday (9 November), local time. They included nine refuelling aircraft and three Osprey transport aircraft.

The Pentagon, or US Department of Defence, has not immediately responded to the reports.

A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment. “We do not routinely comment on the activities of other nations,” the spokesperson told AFP.

“Aircraft and other assets are frequently moved according to operational requirements,” the spokesperson added.

RAF Mildenhall is home to the US Air Force’s 100th Air Refuelling Wing, which operates Stratotanker, Commando II and Osprey aircraft.

The WSJ reported that two of the refuelling aircraft were diverted to Germany, while several others were moved to Germany and other locations on Monday night (9 November).

The move comes weeks after the US withdrew a number of B-1 bombers from another British air base, RAF Fairford, in early October. US President Donald Trump cited an unspecified threat related to Iran as the reason for that withdrawal.