Britain's most senior military officer has insisted UK military bases remain safe and secure after a suspected terror plot led to US bombers being removed from RAF Fairford.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton made the comments while visiting troops at Exercise Cambrian Patrol in Brecon, one of the world's toughest military exercises and an event closely associated with specialist forces and elite military units.
After the suspected terror plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the Ministry of Defence said security was a top priority when asked about Credenhill's SAS base.
Seven suspects have been arrested and released on bail after three suspicious vans were stopped near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on September 27.
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The US bombers had been stationed at the base to support deployments in the Middle East, but Sir Richard said their removal was an "operational decision" designed to reduce risk.
"We take the security of all of our bases in Europe enormously seriously," he said.
"We constantly assess the threats that we face, and we move our assets and our people around in order to protect those that we consider to be under threat.
"The decision to remove the bombers, which don't ordinarily live there, to take them back was an operational decision to reduce the risk.
"But we have enormously close relationships from an intelligence perspective and operationally with the US, and that's what gives me confidence around the safety and security of our bases here."
Sir Richard's comments came during a visit to the Sennybridge training area near Brecon, where soldiers from a record 35 nations are taking part in this year's Exercise Cambrian Patrol.
The annual exercise, first held in 1959, sees eight-person patrols cover around 60 kilometres of some of the toughest terrain in Mid Wales over a 48-hour period while being assessed on their military skills.
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This year's competition also reflects the changing nature of warfare, with large drones being used to transport equipment as part of the exercise.
Sir Richard rejected suggestions the suspected terror plot could damage long-term ties between Britain and the United States.
"What I heard from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently, and also from the commander of the European, US forces in Europe, was complete faith in our relationship," he said.
"They were very keen to tell me how pleased they were with the response, both the military and the civil police."
Describing the US as Britain's closest ally, he added: "Our relationship with the US is fundamental.
"We have a super-close relationship and it's really important to our long-term stability and security."
On Monday, President Donald Trump said there had been "some threats" and the bombers "didn't fly out by accident" from RAF Fairford.
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Police did not find any explosive materials inside the three vans stopped near the airbase, although officers did seize a quantity of petrol.
Speaking about Exercise Cambrian Patrol, Sir Richard said the event's international appeal demonstrated the strength and reputation of the UK's armed forces.
"The very fact that we're able to see 35 nations come here from as far afield as New Zealand tells you something about the draw of both this place and this competition but also how important it is for our soldiers to learn from each other," he said.
"I think it's a real vote of confidence in the UK armed forces and the British Army."
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