Spate of drone sightings over U.S. ally’s military bases sparks mystery
Multiple sightings of drones have been reported over multiple U.S. military bases in the U.K. and nobody seems to know who is behind the unmanned flights.
Small drones have been spotted in and around Royal Air Force Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell and RAF Fairford since November 20, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe said in a press release. Although the bases have RAF names, they all have significant U.S. military presence.
These bases span across Suffolk (RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall) and Norfolk (RAF Feltwell) in the east of England, and Gloucestershire (RAF Fairford) in the west.
“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,” the U.S. Air Force said.
“To safeguard operational security, we do not discuss specific force protection measures, however, we retain the right to protect our installations,” it added.
Around 60 British Royal Air Force personnel have been sent to help, the BBC reports. “We are supporting the US Air Force response,” said the U.K. defense ministry.
The U.S. Air Force has asked that people living in the area of military bases “contact either local police or Security Forces if they see anything suspicious, to include drone activity.”
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The UK bases affected hold several different types of aircraft—including the F-35, F-15E, KC-135 and RC-135, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Department of Defense for comment.
Around two weeks ago, Congress held a hearing on “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena: Exposing the Truth.”
Author Luis Elizondo, a former senior intelligence official and Counterintelligence Special Agent who helps the Government investigate UAP incursions into sensitive military installations and air space, testified on November 13.
“Let me be clear: UAP are real. Advanced technologies not made by our Government—or any other government—are monitoring sensitive military installations around the globe. Furthermore, the U.S. is in possession of UAP technologies, as are some of our adversaries,” he said.
“I believe we are in the midst of a multi-decade, secretive arms race,” he added, “one funded by misallocated taxpayer dollars and hidden from our elected representatives and oversight bodies.”
