The West Suffolk MP said it was important to support those who live on and around the base after today’s incident.

Guards at RAF Mildenhall opened fire at a suspect who allegedly tried to drive through an entry point at the base. He was seized and arrested. There were no serious injuries.

Writing on Twitter, West Suffolk MP Matthew Hancock said that he was in contact with RAF Mildenhall as well as Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore and was receiving updates on developments at the base.

“We await further details, and I have the utmost trust in the professionalism of the servicemen and women at the base to protect us and to defend our national security.”

He added that: “At moments like this it is important to reiterate how strongly we support our friends - American and British - who work and live on and around the base at Mildenhall.

“They defend our freedom and our values. The warmth of our welcome and the strengthh of our resolve will not be diminished, but instead enhanced, by incidents like today’s.”

More reaction set to follow.

RAF Mildenhall has housed the US airforce for decades and is suspected of previously being a target for terrorists.

The Suffolk base has been used by the American military since 1950, giving it a military foothold in Europe.

Several units are still based there permanently, including the 100th Air Refuelling Wing and a branch of its special operations command.

It has been earmarked for closure in 2024 after the Pentagon decided to scale down its military presence on the continent.