Over the past week, unidentified drones have been seen flying over joint U.S.-U.K. military bases in the United Kingdom.
According to Fox News, Jennifer Griffin, the network’s chief national security correspondent, reported that “swarms of small drones” have been spotted since last Wednesday near four U.S. military bases in the United Kingdom. The outlet noted that military officials have indicated they are “alarmed” at the apparent attempt to test the security of RAF Feltwell, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Fairford.
In a Tuesday statement, U.S. Air Forces Europe said, “Small unmanned aerial systems continue to be spotted in the vicinity of and over Royal Air Force Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell and RAF Fairford since Nov. 20.”
U.S. Air Forces Europe added, “The number of systems has fluctuated, and they have ranged in sizes and configurations. Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.”
An anonymous senior U.S. official told Fox News that the drones do not seem to be flown by “hobbyists,” since they are more sophisticated drones than the drones that are typically purchased by consumers.
Fox News reported that the United Kingdom’s military has deployed roughly 60 personnel to provide security for the joint military bases that have been targeted by the drone “swarms” over the past week.
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Addressing the drone issue during a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, said, “They are being actively monitored. Installation leaders have determined so far that none of these incursions impact the base residents, the facilities or the assets that we have on those bases.”
Ryder told reporters that the U.S. military is working with U.K. officials and other mission partners to “ensure the safety of our personnel, our facilities and the equipment.” While Ryder said the drones have not had “any significant mission impact,” he indicated that the Pentagon will continue to take the issue of drones flying over military bases “seriously.”
Asked why the United States has not chosen to shoot the drones down, Ryder said, “We of course always maintain the right to defend ourselves if we deem something to be a threat. But again, we’ll continue to work with the local host nation authorities there.”
According to the BBC, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense indicated that it continues to “take threats seriously” and is “supporting” the response of the U.S. Air Force. Fox News reported that the U.K. Defense Ministry is also working with local law enforcement officials to determine what the drones are being used for and whether a foreign actor is behind the mysterious drones.
