British counterterrorism police have arrested five men outside RAF Fairford in England on suspicion of preparing a terrorist act and explosives offenses. The incident took place on Sunday, September 27, near a U.S. Air Force base located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London. RAF Fairford is a key location for the U.S. Air Force, housing the headquarters of the 501st Combat Support Wing and serving as a forward operating base for the Global Strike Command. The base has a long runway suitable for heavy bombers like the American B-1 and B-52, which have been deployed for defensive operations in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The police received a call around 00:45 local time (23:45 GMT) about "three suspicious vehicles heading towards the air base." Armed officers responded, and five men were detained on suspicion of explosives-related offenses. They were later formally arrested on suspicion of "preparing a terrorist act." A 400-meter security perimeter was set up around the vehicles while the army's bomb disposal unit conducted examinations. Approximately 85 homes in the nearby village of Whelford were evacuated to ensure the safety of residents, who were taken to a local leisure center. According to a report, U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned that the five men had been under U.S. surveillance "for a long time" and that an investigation into their alleged plans to harm the base had been ongoing. The U.S. Air Force confirmed that none of its personnel were involved and stated it was working closely with British authorities to protect military personnel and civilians. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously authorized President Trump to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile targets following attacks on U.K. and allied interests in the Gulf. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, accused Iran and Russia of using intermediaries to carry out criminal activities in the UK. According to data published by The Independent in mid-September, British military sites have been targeted by drones more than 300 times in the past 12 months. The Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the origin of these drones.