Five men have been arrested on suspicion of Explosive Acts offences following reports of three suspicious vans travelling towards RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Police said the five men have been further arrested on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act.
Counter-terrorism officers are leading the investigation into several arrests under the Explosives Act, ITV News understands.
A major incident was declared, with armed police manning a cordon near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire, near the site of the airbase which is used by the United States Air Force (USAF).
The police operation near the village of Whelford in Gloucestershire was not intelligence-led, meaning investigators had not known about any potential plot in advance.
Villagers have been evacuated from their homes near RAF Fairford following the arrest of several men on suspicion of explosives offences, police said.
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