A DRIVER sped through a checkpoint at an RAF air base as security opened fire before coming to a halt just inches from a plane.

Shots were fired at the 44-year-old suspect as the US Air Force (USAF) base in Suffolk was placed on lockdown with the Ministry of Defence declaring a "significant security incident".

8 Base security vehicles were seen surrounding the plane at RAF Mildenhall after an intruder tried to ram a checkpoint

Dramatic footage has emerged showing USAF security troops surrounding a swivel-rotor Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft as Brit cops and the MoD rushed to the scene.

Vehicles with flashing lights rushed to the state-of-the-art military "heli-plane" - also used by the SAS.

A British man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass as Suffolk Police launch an investigation assisted by "other law enforcement agencies". Cops have said the incident is not being treated as terrorism.

The suspect was apprehended with "cuts and bruises" after locals reported hearing gunshots at about 1.40pm today. It has not been revealed how far into the base the intruder had reached.

8 Emergency crews joined security on the airbase's runway Credit: Universal News & Sport (Europe)

8 Armed military personnel fired shots as the suspect tried to ram his way on to the military base Credit: GEOFF ROBINSON.

8 RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk was put on lockdown after a man tried ramming the gates Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

Police respond to reports of a 'significant incident' at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk

8 A man tried ramming the gates to the US air base in Suffolk at around 1pm Credit: PA:Press Association

8 Cops aren't looking for anyone else in connection with the incident Credit: SWNS:South West News Service

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "Suffolk Police were contacted at approximately 1.40pm today ( Monday 18 December) to reports of a disturbance at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

"The base was put into lockdown and units responded immediately.

"Shots were fired by American service personnel and a man has been detained with cuts and bruises and taken into custody.

"No other people have been injured as a result of the incident."

8 The man arrested was left with 'cuts and bruises' Credit: PA:Press Association

8

RAF Mildenhall RAF Mildenhall, together with its sister base RAF Lakenheath, has the largest US Air Force (USAF) presence in the UK. The site was first built for the Royal Air Force in 1933 and taken over by the US military in 1950. It is the home of the 100th Air Refuelling Wing. In January last year, the Ministry of Defence announced the site will be sold. The US Department of Defense announced operations would be relocated to Germany and elsewhere in the UK. It has been reported that the USAF will stay at RAF Mildenhall until 2024. Both Mildenhall and Lakenheath have been targeted by protesters in the past. Around 150 peace campaigners from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament demanded the removal of around 100 nuclear bombs at Lakenheath in 2006. In the same year, activists camped outside Mildenhall in protest at US flights refuelling there on the way to Isreal, reported the BBC. Five years ago RAF Mildenhall welcomed the then US First Lady Michelle Obama who met American military families based there.

They have warned members of the public to avoid the area.

A British defence source said a car tried forcing its way past a checkpoint into the military base, home to a USAF refuelling wing.

The MOD said: "We are aware of incident at the entry point of RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk police have primacy; all questions should be referred to them."

RAF Mildenhall, along with its sister base RAF Lakenheath, have the largest United States Air Force presence in the UK.

Mildenhall is home to 3,100 US military personnel and 3,000 of their family members.

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Last year, an ISIS supporter was caged for life after planning a terror attack on five US Air Force bases in the UK - including RAF Mildenhall.

Delivery driver Junead Khan, 25, from Luton, used his job with a pharmaceutical company as cover to scout the bases.

In November last year the then Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said RAF Mildenhall was one of 56 Ministry of Defence sites earmarked for closure.

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