First Minister Requests UK Government Meeting Over US Military Activity at Prestwick
First Minister John Swinney has requested a meeting with the UK government regarding the use of Prestwick Airport by the US military, following calls to ban US Air Force operations at the site.
This development follows BBC reports documenting American military aircraft making stopovers at the Scottish government-owned airport while en route to support US-Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran.
A spokesperson for Swinney stated that the First Minister has sought assurances that US planes utilizing Prestwick are not engaged in offensive operations. Additionally, he has requested a meeting with the Cabinet Office to discuss the issue further.
Swinney has previously characterized the military actions in Iran as
"incompatible with the international rules-based system".
During First Minister's Questions last week, Swinney was urged by the Scottish Greens to prohibit US planes from using Prestwick Airport, with the party accusing him of
"sitting on his hands".
When questioned further on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Swinney indicated that his government would
"explore" and "consider"a ban if it were confirmed that the aircraft were involved in the airstrikes.
Evidence of US Military Support for Middle East Operations via Prestwick
Using publicly accessible flight logs, BBC Scotland has identified evidence that aircraft passing through Prestwick in recent weeks have been directly involved in supporting US military operations in the Middle East.
In the military buildup preceding strikes on Iran, the US redeployed numerous mid-air refuelling tankers to bases across Europe and the Middle East.
Three Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers made stopovers at Prestwick Airport last month en route to Israel. From Israel, these tankers have conducted dozens of missions since the commencement of Operation Epic Fury, the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
While it is not possible to determine precisely which strikes the tankers supported, defence analyst Jonathan Marcus, a former BBC correspondent who reported on the Iraq War, emphasized their critical role.
"What they do is they give the strike aircraft, or indeed other aircraft that might be operating in the mission greater range, or indeed, greater endurance,"Marcus explained.
"Iran is a huge country. There may well be operations which aren't simply going out and hitting designated targets, but also loitering in particular areas, ready to be called in if mobile missiles are seen on the ground.
That requires endurance, it requires being able to stay up over the target area for some period of time."
The three tankers departed Riverside Air Force Base in California on 17 and 18 February, stopping at Prestwick Airport before continuing to Saudi Arabia between 19 and 22 February, and then deploying to Israel.
On 28 February, the day Operation Epic Fury began, one of the tankers was airborne over Israel, briefly broadcasting its position as it flew eastward toward Iran.
Since early March, all three aircraft appear to have been stationed at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, where over a dozen Stratotankers have been photographed.
These three planes that transited through Scotland have flown at least 30 missions from Israel, often turning off their transponders when heading east toward Iran and reactivating them upon return.
US Air Force Likely Refuelling Israeli Aircraft in Joint Operations
Jonathan Marcus noted that the US Air Force is likely refuelling both American and Israeli aircraft as part of this highly coordinated operation.
"The scale of the Israeli involvement is roughly equivalent in terms of strike aircraft to that of the Americans,"Marcus said.
"But the Israeli Air Force is much weaker in terms of things like tankers. And so I'm sure American tankers are helping to sustain the Israeli aircraft as well, and that is an important force multiplier to keep up the pressure on Iran."
Prestwick’s Role in Military Logistics and Revenue
Prestwick Airport also serves as a refuelling and stopover point for US Air Force cargo planes traveling between the United States and bases in Europe and the Middle East.
Since the conflict in Iran began, military cargo planes from American allies such as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also landed at Prestwick.
While the contents of individual flights are not publicly known, Marcus highlighted the importance of
"routine, regular supply corridors"for replenishing materials including spare parts and munitions during major air campaigns.
The Scottish government acquired Prestwick Airport in 2013 for £1. The airport operates as an arms-length company and reported a profit of £3.5 million in the 2024/25 financial year, with refuelling services representing its largest revenue source.
US government records indicate the Department of Defence spent £15.3 million at Prestwick in 2025, totaling nearly £105 million since 2018.
No US combat aircraft are known to have stopped at Prestwick since the airstrikes began. However, following a UK government policy change, US Air Force bombers are now conducting missions directly from RAF bases in England, where many refuelling tankers are also stationed.
Political Reactions and Calls for Transparency
Patrick Harvie MSP, external affairs spokesman for the Scottish Greens, noted that the Scottish government declared in 2024 that Israeli military aircraft would not be serviced at Prestwick Airport.
"That makes it even more important that ministers are transparent about what role the airport may be playing when the US military aircraft passing through it are so closely linked to Israel,"Harvie said.
"If ministers were willing to take action in relation to Israeli military aircraft, they must explain why the same scrutiny and standards are not being applied to US Air Force aircraft which are potentially supporting the same military operations as Israel."
Harvie added,
"The first minister has said he was willing to consider banning the US from using the airport, based on the evidence. He now has more than enough to act."
Scottish Government Response and Next Steps
A Scottish government spokesperson stated:
"Non-UK military flights using UK airspace need permission from the Ministry of Defence.
The Scottish government is not provided with information on the purpose of military flights using Scottish airports.
Ministers have therefore sought clarity from the UK government that no aircraft have passed through Scottish government-owned airports as part of offensive operations against Iran.
In addition, the first minister is seeking a meeting with the Cabinet Office to discuss this matter.
As the first minister set out previously, once received, this information from the UK government will inform decision-making on the use of Prestwick Airport."
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
