Unidentified drones were spotted flying over three U.S. Air Force bases in the United Kingdom last week, sparking an investigation by both U.S. and British authorities. The drones were seen between Wednesday and Saturday over the Royal Air Force bases of Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell, all of which are used by the U.S. Air Force. The sightings have raised concerns, but officials have stated that the drones did not pose a significant threat to the bases or their operations.
According to a spokesperson for U.S. Air Forces in Europe, initial assessments confirmed that the drones’ presence did not affect base residents or critical infrastructure. Sources familiar with the situation reported that approximately five to six drones appeared to be operating in a coordinated manner. While their exact origin remains under investigation, officials noted that the drones did not resemble typical hobbyist models, though no direct threat was posed to the bases or their personnel.
The Ministry of Defence in the UK has emphasized its commitment to safeguarding defense sites, stating that robust security measures, including counter-drone technology, are in place. However, both the U.S. and UK governments have declined to provide further details on the incident, and no evidence has been found suggesting that the drones were collecting sensitive information during their flight over the bases.
The three bases are located within close proximity to one another in eastern England. Mildenhall is home to the only permanent U.S. air refueling wing in Europe, while Lakenheath hosts the 48th Fighter Wing, which has played a critical role in military operations since the early 2000s. This recent incident comes after a 2017 security breach at Mildenhall, when a car attempted to ram the base’s entrance, prompting a lockdown and shots being fired by U.S. personnel.
