Recent U.S. military air movements into the United Kingdom indicate a redeployment of American special forces into Europe, UK Defence Journal understands.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
Recent U.S. military air movements into the United Kingdom indicate a redeployment of American special forces into Europe, following a period of heightened operational activity linked to events in Venezuela, UK Defence Journal understands.
Flight tracking data shows an increase in U.S. Air Force strategic airlift activity, including multiple C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft arriving at RAF Fairford, alongside the arrival of two AC-130 gunships at RAF Mildenhall. Approximately ten C-17 movements have been observed over a short period, with most flights originating from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.
While MH-47 Chinook helicopters have not been directly observed at RAF Fairford, several of the C-17 movements are assessed to have transported U.S. Army rotary-wing assets. The aircraft types involved, combined with departure locations and routing patterns, are consistent with the movement of special operations aviation units. Open-source imagery and flight data suggest likely involvement of assets associated with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
The formations typically linked to these bases include units routinely tasked with rapid-response and high-risk missions, such as elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 101st Airborne Division, and 160th SOAR. These forces are commonly employed for short-notice contingency operations, including the capture or extraction of high-value individuals, supported by strategic airlift and specialised aviation platforms.
RAF Fairford has drawn particular attention due to its established role as a key U.S. strategic air bridge into Europe. Similar increases in C-17 activity at the base were observed ahead of U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
The movements follow President Donald Trump’s confirmation that Nicolás Maduro was captured during a U.S. operation in Venezuela and removed from the country. Washington has not disclosed which units were involved in that operation, and it remains unclear whether the forces now transiting through the UK are directly linked or are part of a broader post-operation repositioning. At the time of writing, neither U.S. nor UK authorities have commented publicly on the intent or duration of the deployments.