RAF Fairford Major Incident: Explosives Act Arrests and Evacuations A major incident was declared at RAF Fairford after several men were arrested under the Explosives Act and homes were evacuated as bomb disposal experts examine vehicles. A major incident has been declared at RAF Fairford after several men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and nearby homes were evacuated. Armed police swarmed the US air base in Gloucestershire, reportedly checking cars for bombs, and residents in the Whelford area were moved to a leisure centre. Arrests and Evacuations at RAF FairfordThe men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act. The British Army's specialist explosive ordnance disposal team is examining a number of vehicles near the base amid what is understood to be a possible car bomb threat. A cordon is in place, and Gloucestershire Police said they believe the incident is contained.Officers have also evacuated nearby homes, with residents ushered to a leisure centre. A witness said armed police had blocked access to the base's main gate and around 30 police cars, ambulances and fire engines were in the village of Fairford. Earlier, a vehicle, apparently a tractor, was pictured blocking a gate at the base.Roadblocks and armed police have been in place near the Cotswold base in recent days, and emergency vehicles are parked nearby. It is understood the base has been put on Delta alert, the highest threat level that can be issued by Washington's Department of Defense. Meanwhile, security has been tightened at other US bases in the UK, with reports RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk has been placed on Charlie alert, the second-highest threat level.Background and Strategic ImportanceRAF Fairford is home to the headquarters of the US Air Force's 501st Combat Support Wing, its only such unit and the preferred bomber forward operating location in Europe for USAF Global Strike Command. The air base was the subject of a warning from Iran's Revolutionary Guard in July as the regime warned Britain not to allow US bombers to fly from the base.Westminster permitted US planes to carry out defensive strikes on Iranian missile sites that had been attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Ministers have also briefed bosses of critical national infrastructure of the threat posed by Russia, Reuters reported. The Government is understood to be increasingly concerned about possible sabotage efforts and cyber attacks by Moscow, though the Kremlin denies any such activity.A US Air Force spokesman said: The 501st Combat Support Wing and our fellow UK-based Wings remain vigilant and will take appropriate actions to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families. We constantly assess a variety of factors that determine what measures we institute or modify to protect our installations, our people and their families.Recent Developments and SpendingIn June the US government said it would spend around $500million (£377million) on expansion and military infrastructure at the base, understood to include a new hangar complex. A month earlier the Royal International Air Tattoo, set to be held at the base in July, was cancelled after the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE) said the escalating geopolitical situation in the Middle East had required a significant increase in real-world operational missions from RAF Fairford.RAFCTE said both the Royal and US air forces needed to maintain unrestricted, 24/7 operational readiness at the base. Shortly after the US and Israel began the war with Iran on February 28, roads surrounding RAF Fairford were closed in a bid to address safety and access issues.Protective screens were mounted on the base's perimeter fences in March to stop filming after it became popular with plane spotters when US bombers began arriving. That month US military personnel at the base were pictured preparing explosives as Washington intensified strikes on Iran. The US was given permission in March by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer for the specific and limited defensive purpose of destroying Iranian missiles at source. Sir Keir initially refused to permit US bombers to use British bases, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump, who said the former Labour leader was no Winston Churchill.