US President Trump said publicly that a security threat led to the removal of American B-1B Lancer bombers from RAF Fairford in England. Reports from the BBC, Financial Times, and The Telegraph identify a planned Iranian drone attack as the reason that triggered the decision. All 12 aircraft have since flown back in the United States.

Separately, the UK government entered into a 190 million pound deal with Airbus to grow the RAF's A400M Atlas airlift fleet. The agreement is expected to strengthen the RAF's strategic airlift capability. An RAF Poseidon aircraft also assisted in 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.