Several unidentified drones were seen last week near three British air bases used by US forces, the agency said. United States Air Force in a statement on Monday.
The drones were detected between Wednesday and Sunday, near the Royal Air Force Lakenheath, la Royal Air Force Mildenhall y la Royal Air Force Feltwellall three in the east of England. The bases are home to thousands of American service members, primarily Air Force personnel.
“The number of (drone) systems fluctuated and they varied in sizes and configurations”The US Air Force said in a statement. The drones were “actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the raids affected residents, facilities or base assets”said the Air Force.
“To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures, but we reserve the right to protect the installation”the statement said. “We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host country authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.”
The Air Force did not provide information about who might be behind the incident.
It is the latest in a series of drone encounters near US military and intelligence facilities, although other incursions have occurred within the United States.
Homeland security officials detected drones of unknown origin flying over bases in Virginia for more than two weeks last year, the Wall Street Journal. Drones were also seen near an experimental nuclear weapons site in Nevada in 2023, the Journal reported.
According to the Air Force website, RAF Lakenheath It is home to the 48th Fighter Wing and is the largest Air Force-operated base in England.
The unit also maintains Joint Direct Attack Munitions missiles used by the F-35A and F-15E fighter aircraft.
© 2024, The Washington Post.
