Germany hosted Europe’s largest US military presence in 2025 as planes leave UK over Iran threat: where troops are stationed

Aircraft moved from British bases

The US has withdrawn aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk after reportedly receiving threats from Iran. A US European Command official said aircraft are hosted under agreements with allies and partners, but declined to discuss movements for operational security reasons.

The move follows the removal of US bombers from RAF Fairford weeks earlier, after a suspected Iran-linked security incident. The precise nature of the threat to Mildenhall remains under discussion by US officials, according to the WSJ.

Downing Street has said British air bases are safe and that their protection is a priority. The prime minister’s official spokesman described the US as one of the UK’s top security partners.

US presence across the UK

Lord Coaker, a Ministry of Defence minister of state, said in March that about 12,300 US military and civilian defence personnel are based in the UK. US Visiting Forces operate 11 RAF bases, all in England; there are no operational bases in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, both near Cambridge, are the main US operating bases. American forces have been permanently stationed in Britain at the UK government’s invitation since the Second World War.

US personnel also serve at UK sites under joint command, including Northwood Headquarters in Hertfordshire, GCHQ locations in Cheltenham and Bude, and the Ministry of Defence facility at Boscombe Down in Wiltshire. Use of UK bases for operations requires a joint decision by the British and US governments, considered case by case.

Troop numbers across Europe

Germany had the largest US troop presence in 2025, with 38,400, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. In May, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw up to 5,000 troops from Germany, following a dispute between Donald Trump and German chancellor Friedrich Merz over the Iran war.

Italy had nearly 13,000 personnel, followed by the UK with more than 12,000 based on current figures. Spain and Romania each hosted about 4,000 troops in 2025, while Turkey, Greece, Norway and Belgium had between 1,000 and 2,000 apiece.