Why did the US B-1 bomber urgently fly out of the UK? Foreign media pointed out the old problem of insufficient anti-bomb shelters

A few days ago, a US B-1 bomber made an emergency flight from a British air force base due to a potential threat. (AFP file photo)

[Reporter Tu Jumin/Comprehensive Report] The U.S. Air Force's B-1 "Lancer" strategic bombers suddenly withdrew from Royal Air Force Fairford Base in the United Kingdom a few days ago, attracting attention from the outside world. The foreign military news website "The War Zone" analyzed that the United States suspected that it had information that Iran might instigate close-range drone attacks, so it urgently transferred the B-1. However, this incident once again highlighted the US military's long-term lack of reinforced bunkers. Once faced with a low-cost drone raid, high-value military aircraft parked on the open-air apron are still very vulnerable.

"The War Zone" reported that B-1 bombers have been deployed at RAF Fairford since March this year to support the US military's "Epic Fury" against Iran, but they suddenly withdrew a few days ago. When asked about the reason, U.S. President Trump admitted that "there are indeed some threats." Vice President Vance also said that the U.S. Department of Defense is protecting U.S. military personnel with a high degree of caution.

Relevant sources pointed out that the United States is worried that Iran may imitate Ukraine's "Operation Spider Web" last year, using small drones hidden and launched at close range to launch raids on strategic bombers parked on the ground.

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The report stated that the Ukrainian army's "Operation Spider Web" destroyed at least 10 Russian bombers and other military aircraft, proving that low-cost drones are enough to threaten expensive and high-value aircraft. The B-1 at Fairford Base can also only be parked in an open area, and its location can even be identified from outside the base; once it is attacked by a swarm of drones, traditional anti-aircraft missiles may not be able to fully intercept it at a reasonable cost.

However, the U.S. Air Force has had reservations about building large-scale bomb-resistant aircraft forts for many years. Air Force Chief of Staff Wilsbach once believed that in the face of precision-guided weapons, even the strongest ground bunkers may be penetrated, and it is more effective to invest funds in air defense interception and dispersed deployment. But he recently admitted that in the face of small drones worth only a few hundred dollars, there is still practical value in erecting low-cost passive defenses such as protective nets and light bunkers.

According to the report, the most alarming aspect of this incident is that the opponent may force more than a dozen strategic bombers to evacuate their forward bases without actually opening fire. As Russia, China, North Korea and Iran continue to strengthen their military aircraft forts, whether the US military will re-examine the passive protection capabilities of overseas bases has become an unavoidable issue in the era of drones.