American special forces have utilized a small airfield in the remote north of Scotland to execute a bold mission to seize control of an oil tanker linked to Venezuela. Reports from aircraft tracking sites indicate that US military planes landed at Wick John O’Groats airport before proceeding northward towards Iceland.
Following the operation, American forces confirmed the capture of the Marinera, a deteriorating Russian-flagged vessel previously known as Bella-1, which managed to evade Donald Trump’s naval blockade of Venezuela. The US European Command verified that they had taken over the M/V Bella 1 for violating US sanctions, as per a warrant issued by a US federal court and tracked by USCGC Munro.
The Ministry of Defence acknowledged British military support in capturing the Marinera tanker, providing RAF surveillance capabilities and the RFA Tideforce support vessel. The US Air Force’s special operations command deployed U-28A planes near Wick, aiding in intelligence gathering and coordinating other aircraft.
In addition to the U-28A aircraft, P8 Poseidon anti-submarine aircraft and KC-135 aerial refueling planes were also sighted heading towards the tanker’s location. The vessel’s journey, intercepted in international waters, was expected to pass near Scotland, the Faroe Islands, and south of Iceland en route to Russia.
Vladimir Putin’s attempt to protect the Marinera with a submarine and naval ships was unsuccessful as American forces boarded the vessel. Russia’s Foreign Ministry criticized the disproportionate attention from US and NATO forces, claiming the vessel was abiding by international maritime law while navigating in the North Atlantic.
US and UK forces closely monitored the vessel after it disappeared from the Caribbean two weeks ago, amid concerns about 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.