Aircraft moved from RAF Mildenhall amid reported Iran threat

The county found itself at the centre of an international security story in late 2024 when a series of mysterious drone incursions were reported above and around key US-operated airbases in east England.

Among the locations affected were RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, two of the most strategically important military installations in Europe.

READ MORE: LIVE: RAF Mildenhall evacuated after reported Iran threat

According to the International Institute for Security Studies (IISS), the Suffolk bases were targeted over a four-day period, alongside RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and RAF Feltwell in neighbouring Norfolk.

It was reported that the drones were believed to have been launched from the HAV Dolphin, a suspected Russian spy vessel which had been spotted off the Humberside coast during the same period.

READ MORE: Surge in drones targeting British bases including in Suffolk

The Ministry of Defence has allocated £790 million to improve anti-drone and anti-missile defences at home and abroad.

The fears were further escalated after it was reported that several aircraft were evacuated from RAF Mildenhall on Monday following reports of threats from Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported that two US refuelling tankers stationed at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk were diverted to Germany on Monday morning, while several other tankers at the base were moved to Germany and other locations later in the day.

The exact nature of the threat is not yet known and remains under discussion among US officials, according to the newspaper.

A spokesman for the U.S. Air Force said: “U.S. Air Force aircraft rotate between installations and operating locations for a variety of reasons, including training and real-world requirements.

"U.S. military aircraft are hosted in accordance with access, basing, and overflight agreements with our Allies and partners.

"Due to operations security, we will not provide further information on movement of assets.”