Emergency in Whelford: arrests and homes evacuated near RAF Fairford base

Several men have been arrested and homes evacuated in the Whelford area, near RAF Fairford airbase, Gloucestershire, after authorities declared a major emergency. The police reported this, specifying that those arrested are suspected of violating the law on explosives. A specialist army bomb squad is on site and examining several vehicles. The evacuated residents were moved to a nearby leisure centre, Gloucestershire Police said.

The function of the RAF Fairford base

RAF Fairford, near Swindon, is home to the headquarters of the US 501st Combat Support Wing and the 420th Air Base Squadron. On the site the unit is described as the prime forward operating location in Europe for US Air Force Global Strike Command bombers and supports several missions and exercises throughout the year.