American special forces have utilized a small airfield in the remote north of Scotland to coordinate a bold operation to seize an oil tanker linked to Venezuela. Recent data from aircraft tracking sites showed US military planes landing at Wick John O’ Groats airport earlier today before continuing their journey northward towards Iceland.
Subsequently, American forces confirmed the capture of the Marinera, a deteriorating Russian-flagged ship previously known as Bella-1, which reportedly evaded Donald Trump’s naval blockade of Venezuela. US European Command later verified that they had taken control of the M/V Bella 1 for violating US sanctions. According to reports, the vessel was seized in the North Atlantic under a US federal court warrant after being tracked by USCGC Munro.
The Ministry of Defence acknowledged that British military forces supported the American mission to apprehend the Marinera tanker, providing RAF surveillance capabilities and the RFA Tideforce support vessel. The US aircraft observed near Wick were U-28A planes deployed by the US Air Force’s special operations command for intelligence gathering and coordinating other aircraft.
P8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft and KC-135 aerial refueling planes were also sighted on flight tracking platforms en route to the tanker’s location. Aviation enthusiasts noted U-28A aircraft, including one identified as AGREE36, departing from RAF Mildenhall, one of the largest US Air Force bases in Britain, before landing in Wick today.
America’s pursuit of the vessel follows a recent operation in Venezuela by the Trump administration, resulting in the removal and arrest of then-president Nicolas Maduro. The vessel was apprehended in international waters and was expected to sail north of Scotland, past the Faroe Islands, and south of Iceland before reaching its Russian destination.
Vladimir Putin had previously deployed a submarine and naval ships in a bid to protect the Marinera, believed to be empty and not carrying any oil. However, American forces boarded the ship, thwarting the Kremlin’s efforts to safeguard the aging tanker.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry criticized the increased attention the vessel received from US and NATO forces, stating that the ship was operating lawfully in international waters. US and UK forces began closely monitoring the vessel after it departed from the Caribbean two weeks ago, amid concerns over its proximity to Venezuela.
Wick John O’ Groats airport, located at the northeastern tip of the Scottish mainland, is managed by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited.