Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain's National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S. and NATO intelligence operations, counterterrorism investigation into the security breach at the strategic installation, which serves as a central intelligence hub supporting American military commanders across Europe and Africa.
The base is also undergoing a $556.5 million expansion centered on the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex (JIAC), a location designed to consolidate 20 intelligence facilities and accommodate more than 1,000 personnel, according to U.S. Air Force's 423rd Air Base Group, RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations.
It houses intelligence elements for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre.
During World War II, the airfield was used by the U.S. 15th Bombardment Squadron. In 1973, the airfield was officially deactivated before transitioning into its current role as an intelligence center.
Construction on the JIAC broke ground April 12, 2024, with onsite work beginning that spring. The facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2028.
A 2024 Defense Department designed the project with a two-stage procurement strategy, allowing stakeholder agencies to provide feedback and streamline scheduling requirements.
"While we assess the global security posture, U.S. forces remain at the highest state of readiness," the command said in a recent security concerns at RAF Fairford, another British base used by U.S. strategic bombers.
"We are keeping an open mind at this stage and inquiries are very much ongoing," she said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and the CIA for comment.