US evacuates 13 military aircraft from second UK base as new Iran threat raises alarm

The U.S.Air Force abruptly relocated more than a dozen aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in eastern England amid an emerging security threat, U.S.

officials confirmed Tuesday.The Wall Street Journal first reported the move, citing sources who said the threat originated in Iran.As U.S.officials assessed the threat's nature and urgency, commanders raised the base's security level to Force Protection Condition Charlie, the military's second-highest alert level, indicating a likely terrorist threat against personnel or facilities.IRAN HAS 'SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED' EFFORTS TO TARGET AMERICANS ABROAD, US INTELLIGENCE MEMO WARNSU.S.

Air Force KC-135, used for in-flight refueling, takes off from RAF Mildenhall Airbase.(AP Photo/Max Nash, File)Flight-tracking data and open-source analysts with the Military Air Tracking Alliance identified 13 U.S.

aircraft leaving the base late Monday, the Associated Press said.Nine Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers were moved to airfields in Scotland, Germany and Spain.Three CV-22B Ospreys were relocated to nearby RAF Lakenheath, which has hardened aircraft shelters.A U.S.official told The Associated Press the moves were precautionary, noting that some aircraft were on rotational deployments while others were permanently stationed in the United Kingdom.IRAN UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER PLOT FOILED NEAR UK BASE USED BY US MILITARYAmerican aircrews check a B-52 Stratofortress long-range subsonic bomber aircraft on the pan at RAF Fairford.

The United Kingdom reportedly is refusing to let the United States use the base for a potential attack on Iran.(Getty Images)The move marks the second major relocation of U.S.

military aircraft from Britain in less than two months.In early October, the Air Force pulled heavy bombers from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after British counterterrorism police stopped three suspicious vans headed toward the base Sept.27.Two men have since been charged under the United Kingdom's National Security Act.Separately, the Justice De...