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The United States is expected to utilize RAF Fairford as a key base for launching “defensive” strikes targeting Iranian missile installations, according to information obtained by the BBC. This development follows a recent agreement, announced by Sir Keir Starmer, confirming the UK’s approval for US military use of the site. RAF Fairford, situated on the boundary between Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, has a history of supporting US long-range bombing missions.
Robert Macaire, who served as the British ambassador to Iran from 2018 to 2021, commented on the situation, stating, “You can’t avoid being drawn in if you’re a country like the UK.” The RAF base lies in a normally tranquil area of the Cotswolds, approximately four miles south of the town of Fairford, positioned near the River Coln. Although peaceful for most of the year, the site becomes bustling each July when it hosts the Royal International Air Tattoo, renowned as the largest military air show globally.
RAF Fairford has been operational since January 1944 and primarily functions under the management of the United States Air Force’s 501st Combat Support Wing. It is mainly used by heavy bomber aircraft, including the B-1B Lancer, B-2A Spirit, and B-52H Stratofortress, and regularly supports Bomber Task Force missions. Additionally, the base’s long runway historically made it suitable as the Concorde testing center until 1977. Throughout its history, RAF Fairford has played significant roles in major conflicts. During World War II, the RAF’s No. 620 Squadron utilized the base for airborne operations such as parachute troop drops and glider towing, contributing to key campaigns like the Normandy landings and Operation Market Garden. The Cold War era saw the deployment of USAF Strategic Air Command units there as part of the US strategic deterrence against the Soviet Union. The base was also instrumental during the first Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq War in 2003, housing bombers and refueling tankers.
Most recently, the UK government declared the use of British military facilities for US-led “defensive” operations against Iran. Former US President Donald Trump indicated that RAF Fairford might be used if Iran rejects diplomatic deals, while Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is also expected to be involved in such military actions. Tests of the base’s emergency alert system, known as the Giant Voice, have been underway, with local authorities cautioning nearby residents about the potential loud noises. The heightened tensions follow attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, which in turn launched retaliatory strikes on US assets and allied nations in the region. In response, investigations are ongoing to determine the origins of specific attacks.
Locally, reactions to the increased military use of RAF Fairford have been cautious but realistic. Robert Macaire, now living in Marlborough, reflected on the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the “huge” military coordination involved and the unpredictability of conflict escalation. He remarked, “I think the government has done what you’d expect it to do which was to stay out of these initial attacks on Iran… but you can’t avoid being drawn in if you’re a country like the UK.” Emphasizing the UK’s vested interests and military presence in the Gulf, he explained that protecting these assets necessitates measured steps
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