Newly uncovered evidence shows the United States has transferred nuclear weapons to RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, raising alarm over secretive transatlantic deployments and escalating concerns about NATO’s nuclear strategy, Declassified UK reported, citing Nukewatch UK.

On July 17, a massive US Air Force C-17 Globemaster transport plane (flight RCH4574) landed at Lakenheath, carrying a cargo of grave geopolitical significance: nuclear weapons with a destructive power estimated at three times that of the Hiroshima bomb, Declassified UK reported. Despite being physically on British soil, these weapons remain under the sole control of US President Donald Trump and can be deployed without consent from the UK government, the report noted. 

Nukewatch UK, a specialist nuclear monitoring organization, meticulously tracked the flight from its origin at Lewis–McChord Air Force Base in Washington state. After departing on July 15, the aircraft made a key stop at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home to the Air Force’s largest nuclear storage and maintenance complex.

Here, the plane likely loaded up to 20 B61-12 nuclear bombs, the latest generation of American tactical nuclear weapons, Nukewatch revealed, as cited by Declassified. Completed in December 2024, the B61-12 features advanced guidance systems enhancing its accuracy, and it is currently being rolled out to replace older bomb variants across NATO bases.

The loading process at Kirtland was shrouded in high security. The aircraft was stationed on the designated hazardous cargo pad, with warnings issued to avoid overflight and ground personnel strictly monitoring the operation. The flight departed that evening, its pilot notifying air traffic control of the “haz cargo” onboard.

Transatlantic journey and arrival

The plane traversed the Atlantic overnight, refueling mid-air from two KC-46 tanker aircraft. A second C-17 left Lewis–McChord simultaneously as a backup, diverting through Ramstein Air Base in Germany and briefly stopping at Lakenheath itself, potentially carrying nuclear emergency equipment, the report detailed.

Upon arrival at RAF Lakenheath, security was exceptionally tight. The aircraft was parked at ‘Victor Ramp,’ a zone reserved for handling dangerous materials, it added. Multiple USAF patrols and plainclothes agents secured the perimeter, while fire safety teams stood ready. Specialized equipment, including aerial munitions lift trucks, was deployed to offload the bombs.

The nuclear weapons were transferred to a nearby hardened aircraft shelter, disappearing from public view, Declassified wrote. Meanwhile, a strict no-fly zone of 2.5 nautical miles was enforced around the base, which saw no other flight operations during the unloading.

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