American special forces have utilized a small airfield in the remote north of Scotland to lead a daring operation to seize an oil tanker connected to Venezuela.
Reports from aircraft tracking sites indicated that US military planes landed at Wick John O’Groats airport before heading further north toward Iceland.
The American forces confirmed the capture of the Marinera, a Russian-flagged vessel formerly named Bella-1, which allegedly bypassed Donald Trump’s naval blockade of Venezuela. The US European Command later announced that they had taken control of the M/V Bella 1 for violating US sanctions, following a warrant issued by a US federal court and tracking by USCGC Munro.
The Ministry of Defence acknowledged British military support in the operation, providing RAF surveillance and the RFA Tideforce vessel. US Air Force’s U-28A planes, specializing in intelligence gathering and coordination, were observed near Wick.
P8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft and KC-135 refueling planes were also seen en route to the tanker. The operation came after the Trump administration’s recent activities in Venezuela, resulting in the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.
Vladimir Putin had dispatched a submarine and naval ships to protect the Marinera, but US forces boarded the vessel successfully. Russia’s Foreign Ministry criticized the attention given to the vessel by US and NATO forces.
The US and UK closely monitored the tanker after its departure from the Caribbean, as concerns grew over its proximity to Venezuela. Wick John O’ Groats airport, located in the northeast of Scotland, is managed by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.