2 foreign nationals breach UK base housing key US, NATO intel hub amid $556M expansion

A police vehicle leaves RAF Molesworth after two Latvian nationals were arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the U.K., police said in a statement.(Reuters/Chris Radburn)

Bomb disposal specialists cleared the vehicle before armed officers discovered a fence breach and located the men inside.

Initially detained on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage, both men were arrested again under the National Security Act for allegedly entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom.They remain in custody as counterterrorism detectives execute search warrants at two residential properties in nearby Peterborough.

Managed by theU.S.AirForce’s423rd Air Base Group, RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations.

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It houses intelligence elements for U.S.European Command,U.S.Africa Commandand the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre.

During World War II, the airfield was used by the U.S.15th Bombardment Squadron.In 1973, the airfield was officially deactivated before transitioning into its current role as an intelligence center.

Construction on the JIAC broke ground April 12, 2024, with onsite work beginning that spring.The facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2028.

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FOILED TERROR PLOT AT BOMBER BASE SIGNALS WIDER THREAT TO US MILITARY INSTALLATIONS: EXPERT

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RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations.(Reuters/Chris Radburn)

A 2024Defense Department releasedescribed the base development as part of the department’s overall European Infrastructure Consolidation efforts.

“It will combine 20 facilities and over 1,000 DIA personnel into one location.Among others, it will host members of the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System, U.S.Africa Command, U.S.European Command and U.S.Air Force elements in a cross-agency, multi-mission collaboration.”

At the time, Defense Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Suzanne White said the facility would enable “the U.S.and allies’ shared mission of ‘outpacing our strategic competitors and addressing threats together wherever they may arise.’”

TheDefense Departmentdesigned the project with a two-stage procurement strategy, allowing stakeholder agencies to provide feedback and streamline scheduling requirements.

Following the intrusion, U.S.European Command praised the swift British response.

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US PULLS ALL BOMBERS FROM KEY UK BASE AFTER SUSPECTED IRAN-LINKED TERROR PLOT

Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain’s National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S.and NATO intelligence operations.(Reuters/Chris Radburn)

“While we assess the global security posture, U.S.forces remain at the highest state of readiness,” the command said in astatement.

“We would also express our gratitude to the UK for the close partnership with U.S.forces on matters of security.”

British counterterrorism officials cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about possible espionage or terrorist motives.

“We’re very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites,” Counterterrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan said.

Flanagan added that investigators have not established a connection between the Molesworth breach andrecent security concerns at RAF Fairford, another British base used by U.S.strategic bombers.

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“We are keeping an open mind at this stage and inquiries are very much ongoing,” she said.

S.overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture.