Several US Special Operations Forces aircraft departed from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk yesterday, according to sources who told GB News.
These aircraft are positioning themselves ahead of ongoing operations in the Middle East.
The MC-130Js are equipped with the Silent Knight radar modification, which enables precise terrain-following and terrain-avoidance capabilities.
This enables the aircraft to fly as low as 100 feet off the ground for sensitive low-level missions. Aviation sources confirmed that four of the jets were equipped with this specialised radar upon departure.
Images obtained by GB News, show the aircraft on the Mildenhall tarmac after arriving in the UK over the past two weeks.
This deployment follows permission given by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for US forces to use British airbases to support “defensive operations” related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The MC-130Js are part of the 352nd Special Operations Wing, the only US Air Force special operations unit in Europe, which has over 1,000 personnel. This unit also includes intelligence support teams based in the area. Mildenhall has long served as a hub for US Special Forces in Europe and was a key staging site for the interception of a fleeing Russian oil tanker off the British coast in January.
Some sources suggest that the US may coordinate with Kurdish forces in Iraq to open a new front against Iran. This could stretch Iranian military capabilities and enable more precise operations across multiple regions.
The deployment comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, with Iranian forces continuing to target shipping lanes and energy infrastructure in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes. Analysts indicate that the presence of US Special Operations aircraft in the UK signals heightened readiness for rapid action should further escalation occur.
Thanks to the MC-130Js’ low-level flying capabilities, Special Forces can conduct various operations, including reconnaissance, strategic target interdiction, and rapid insertion or extraction of personnel. Observers note that such deployments are rare during peacetime, underscoring the seriousness of the current strategic posture.
RAF Mildenhall, which hosts the 352nd Wing, is particularly well-suited for these missions due to its long-runway facilities, secure perimeters, and integrated intelligence support. This deployment is expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future, with additional aircraft movements into the UK anticipated in the coming weeks.
