Trump’s ‘nuke sniffer’ airplane lands in UK sparking WW3 fears over Iran
The USAF WC-135R Constant Phoenix jet has touched down at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, sparking speculation about potential conflict with Iran as soaring tensions continue to fuel World War 3 fears
Trump’s USAF WC-135R Constant Phoenix ‘Nuke Sniffer’ has arrived in the UK (Image: Stephen Huntley/HVC)
A US air force plane, known as the “nuke sniffer”, has landed in the UK amidst escalating tensions with Iran, sparking fears of a potential World War 3.
The USAF WC-135R Constant Phoenix jet, which is used to detect radioactive particles in the atmosphere, touched down at RAF Mildenhall, an American airbase in Suffolk.
The WC-135 is a specialised reconnaissance aircraft designed to detect nuclear tests or other signs of nuclear activity by sampling radioactive isotopes in the atmosphere.
Operated by the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, the USAF “nuke sniffer” was reportedly deployed from the US to the Middle East just days before President Donald Trump bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities last year.
This marks only the third time in four decades that it has been stationed at a UK airbase, as deployments to Europe are rare and typically linked to missions near the Russian border.
The aircraft last landed in the UK on January 22, weeks before the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. It has also previously been deployed following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident, and during North Korea’s nuclear tests.
Its unexpected arrival in the UK has now sparked speculation that it may be a sign of preparations for a potential conflict with Iran, reports the Express.
“It flies all around the world. It’s not sniffing to see if there is a weapon there,” a source told The Telegraph.
The source added “it’s ensuring that ground testing is not taking place”.
This development comes just days after Trump dispatched a “beautiful armada” to the Middle East.
Making a clear show of their military might, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft-carrier group moved into the Central Command’s area of operations on Monday.
In a briefing released on Tuesday, January 27, private security company Ambrey stated that the US has positioned adequate forces to conduct potential strikes against Iran whilst maintaining the capability to shield itself and regional partners from counter-attacks.
Ambrey concluded that retaliatory measures linked solely to Iranian demonstrations would provide insufficient grounds for prolonged warfare, though noted that aims such as weakening Iran’s military strength could heighten the prospect of restricted US engagement.
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