Around 60 British military personnel, including counter-drone specialists, have been deployed to defend three US Air Force bases in the UK following a series of mysterious drone sightings. The affected sites include RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, as well as RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and civilian police have launched an investigation to determine the source of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The drone activity has raised concerns about a potentially “coordinated” operation, as sightings occurred repeatedly over the past week.
A defence source described the incidents as “awfully coordinated,” while another called the activity “very weird.”
Heightened Security and Ongoing Monitoring
The US Air Forces in Europe confirmed that multiple drones were spotted overnight on Monday, with sightings varying across the three bases. While the drones have not been identified as hostile, they are being closely monitored to ensure the safety of personnel and infrastructure.
“Since November 20, there has been no impact to residents or facilities, but these drones remain under observation,” a US Air Forces spokesperson said.
In response, British troops from the RAF Regiment’s Force Protection Wing have been deployed to the bases. These personnel specialize in countering UAV threats and operate the advanced ORCUS counter-uncrewed air system. ORCUS is capable of detecting, tracking, identifying, and neutralizing hostile drones, according to the RAF.
The US military has also ramped up surveillance, with units actively monitoring the airspace over the affected bases. RAF surveillance capabilities are being utilized to assist in identifying the operators of the drones.
“We take all threats seriously and maintain robust security measures at defence sites,” an MoD spokesperson said. “Our personnel are supporting the US Air Force response to ensure the safety of the installations.”
Nature of the Drone Activity
The unusual nature of the drone sightings, which began last Wednesday, has raised speculation about their purpose. Sightings were reported overnight between Wednesday and Friday and again on Monday, marking an unusual frequency.
Despite the ongoing monitoring efforts, the identity of the drone operators remains unknown. The MoD and US Air Force are treating the incidents as a matter of operational security.
A US Air Forces in Europe spokesperson stated, “To safeguard operational security, we do not discuss specific force protection measures. However, we retain the right to protect our installations.”
This heightened response underscores the critical importance of ensuring security at bases hosting US Air Force personnel and assets, particularly amid evolving drone threats.
