US President Trump confirmed that a security threat caused the removal of American B-1B Lancer bombers from RAF Fairford in England. Reports from the BBC, Financial Times, and The Telegraph describe a planned Iranian drone attack as the reason for the withdrawal. All 12 aircraft have since flown back in the United States.

Separately, the UK government signed a 190 million pound deal with Airbus to add to the RAF's A400M Atlas airlift fleet. The agreement will boost the RAF's strategic airlift capability. An RAF Poseidon aircraft also helped with the rescue of 17 people from a stricken fishing vessel off Orkney, showing the range of tasks the RAF handles beyond its usual patrol work.