Overview
- The Ministry of Defence confirmed Saturday that U.S. forces are using British bases for “specific defensive operations” intended to prevent further Iranian missile launches.
- Multiple B-1B Lancers arrived March 6–7 and three B-52 Stratofortresses landed Monday at RAF Fairford, according to BBC reports and other outlets.
- Footage showed two U.S. C-17 transport aircraft landing Sunday at Fairford, with the BBC reporting they carried munitions and spare parts for the B-1 bombers.
- U.K. forces conducting defensive sorties “successfully engaged” a one‑way attack drone launched from Iran toward Iraq, as RAF Typhoons and F-35s continue regional patrols and a Merlin helicopter deploys for surveillance.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized limited U.S. use of RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia after initially refusing broader access, prompting protests outside Fairford and political criticism inside the U.K.