Mysterious US military buildup at British bases fuels speculation over Venezuela operation
Unusual US military activity has been spotted across British airfields in early January 2026. Flight tracking data reveals a surge in American transport aircraft arriving at RAF bases, coinciding with reports of a high-profile operation in Venezuela. The movements include helicopters and support units often linked to special operations missions.
Since January 4, around ten C-17 Globemaster III transport planes have landed in the UK, mostly flying from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. These flights are believed to have carried US Army helicopters, including MH-47 Chinook and MH-60 Black Hawk models. Two AC-130 gunships have also been tracked at RAF bases.
The aircraft patterns suggest involvement from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the Night Stalkers. Open-source reports indicate supporting units may include the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Marine Raider Regiment (MARSOC). Similar C-17 movements were recorded before the June 2025 US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, raising speculation about the current operation’s scale. The deployments follow President Donald Trump’s announcement of Nicolás Maduro’s capture in Venezuela. However, neither US nor UK officials have confirmed whether these forces are directly tied to that mission or part of wider troop repositioning.
The increased airlift activity marks the second notable surge at RAF Fairford in less than a year. While the exact purpose remains unconfirmed, the presence of specialised aviation and ground units points to a significant US military movement. No official statements have addressed the duration or next steps for the deployed forces.
