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| RAF Mildenhall incident: Shots fired at US air base in Suffolk after car forces entry past checkpoint, police reveal | RAF Mildenhall incident: Shots fired at US air base in Suffolk after car forces entry past checkpoint, police reveal |
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| US military personnel fired shots after a car forced its way through a checkpoint at the RAF Mildenhall US air base, police have revealed. | US military personnel fired shots after a car forced its way through a checkpoint at the RAF Mildenhall US air base, police have revealed. |
| A 44-year-old British man has been arrested after the “significant incident” forced authorities to lock down the base, which is used only by the US Air Force, at 1pm on Monday. | A 44-year-old British man has been arrested after the “significant incident” forced authorities to lock down the base, which is used only by the US Air Force, at 1pm on Monday. |
| The Independent understands that a single driver in a vehicle approached a checkpoint and forced his way inside. | The Independent understands that a single driver in a vehicle approached a checkpoint and forced his way inside. |
| American security personnel opened fire and the driver was taken into custody, before being handed to Suffolk Police for a civilian investigation. | American security personnel opened fire and the driver was taken into custody, before being handed to Suffolk Police for a civilian investigation. |
| He sustained only cuts and bruises, and was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass. No one else was injured and the incident is not being treated as terrorism, police said. | He sustained only cuts and bruises, and was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass. No one else was injured and the incident is not being treated as terrorism, police said. |
| Suffolk Police said: “Police are not looking for anyone else on the site in relation to the incident.” | |
| A small contingent of British liaison officers are also stationed at the base, which is predominantly staffed by American forces. | A small contingent of British liaison officers are also stationed at the base, which is predominantly staffed by American forces. |
| A spokesman from the base’s public affairs office told The Independent the lockdown measures were lifted shortly after 2.30pm. | A spokesman from the base’s public affairs office told The Independent the lockdown measures were lifted shortly after 2.30pm. |
| Suffolk Police tweeted that its officers were still at the 1,162-acre base, which houses about 3,100 members of the US military and an additional 3,000 family members. | Suffolk Police tweeted that its officers were still at the 1,162-acre base, which houses about 3,100 members of the US military and an additional 3,000 family members. |
| In a statement issued by Suffolk Police, a US Air Force spokesman said: “We’ve concluded our combined response to this incident and we are continuing to support local authorities in the ongoing investigation.” | In a statement issued by Suffolk Police, a US Air Force spokesman said: “We’ve concluded our combined response to this incident and we are continuing to support local authorities in the ongoing investigation.” |
| The base is currently home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing. Its KC135 tankers are used to refuel US and Nato aircraft in Europe. | The base is currently home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing. Its KC135 tankers are used to refuel US and Nato aircraft in Europe. |
| RAF Mildenhall was previously among the American bases targeted by Isis supporter Junead Khan, who was jailed for preparing a terror attack in April 2016. | RAF Mildenhall was previously among the American bases targeted by Isis supporter Junead Khan, who was jailed for preparing a terror attack in April 2016. |
| He had been communicating with Isis fighter Junaid Hussain, a British hacker later killed by a US drone strike, who incited him to attack military bases. | He had been communicating with Isis fighter Junaid Hussain, a British hacker later killed by a US drone strike, who incited him to attack military bases. |
| In online chats, the men cited the murder of Lee Rigby as inspiration after the soldier was mown down with a car and stabbed to death near Woolwich barracks in 2013. | In online chats, the men cited the murder of Lee Rigby as inspiration after the soldier was mown down with a car and stabbed to death near Woolwich barracks in 2013. |
| In November last year the then-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said RAF Mildenhall was one of 56 Ministry of Defence sites earmarked for closure. It is due to close in 2022. | In November last year the then-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said RAF Mildenhall was one of 56 Ministry of Defence sites earmarked for closure. It is due to close in 2022. |