Nine military aircraft move from RAF Mildenhall base to Germany, Spain; Iran threat reportedly prompted relocation

Aircraft moved across Europe

Nine U.S. Stratotanker refueling planes left a base in England for facilities in Germany and Spain on Monday. Four of them departed RAF Mildenhall and arrived at Morón Air Base in southern Spain that day.

The Wall Street Journal cited sources who said the aircraft had been repositioned because of a threat from Iran. A U.S. official told CBS News on Tuesday that credible threats had been made against bases in the U.K., but did not say who was behind them.

Officials decline specifics

A U.S. official said the military takes preventive steps to protect its aircraft, personnel and installations, but did not address the reported movements. European Command also declined to discuss particular force-protection measures.

The command spokesperson said RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath remained vigilant with support from host-nation allies. The spokesperson added that U.S. and U.K. authorities were coordinating actions to protect service members, civilians, contractors and their families.

Routine movements and unit

Earlier Tuesday, an Air Force spokesperson said aircraft regularly move between bases and operating sites for training and real-world requirements. The spokesperson did not confirm whether that explanation applied to these flights.

The 100th Air Refueling Wing, based at RAF Mildenhall for years, had not responded to CBS News’ request for comment. It is the only permanent U.S. refueling wing in Europe.

Earlier incident near Fairford

Five British men were arrested on Sept. 27 near the Fairford base on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offenses, then released on bail. A month later, two men were charged with security-related offenses connected to the incident.

Mohmed Abdulkarim, 24, faced charges of assisting a foreign intelligence service and conduct likely to materially assist one in U.K.-related activities. U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran was believed to have played a part in the September incident, without giving details.

Counterterrorism police said searches of three vehicles found no explosives. They reported finding fuel and several large, mostly empty plastic drums.