Unidentified drones have been spotted at joint US-UK bases in the United Kingdom for almost a week.
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reports that four US military bases in the UK that house the American F-15 Strike Eagle and F-35 fighter jets have been targeted by “a number of small drones” since Wednesday, Nov. 20.
Army officials said they were “appalled” by what appeared to be a concerted effort to inspect security at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell in the east of England, and RAF Fairford in southwest England.
The UK military has deployed around 60 personnel to protect bases against multiple drone incursions.
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At least four bases in the UK home to US Air Force personnel have reported multiple drone incursions in the past week. (Fox Stories)
A senior U.S. official told Fox that drones don’t appear to be “entertainers.” Witnesses say they are small quadcopters and octocopters and are more sophisticated than those that can be bought off the shelf.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. General Pat Ryder said earlier Tuesday that none of the drone attacks had an impact on residents, facilities or US assets on the bases.
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“Yes, we always have the right to defend ourselves if we see something dangerous,” Ryder said.
US officials have not revealed the origin of the drones, but the coordinated nature suggests an aggressive state actor that began a day after Ukraine used long-range American ATACMs to target Russia after President Biden lifted restrictions on the use of long-range missiles.
A US Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle of the 492nd Fighter Squadron (Madhatters) 48th Fighter Wing applies an air brake at RAF Lakenheath on Dec. 15, 2021. (Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Soon after, President Vladimir Putin said that his country has the right to attack countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russia.
The UK Ministry of Defense said it is working closely with the US and local police to find out what the drones are doing and whether a foreign enemy is involved.
“The number of programs has changed, and they are now separated in size and configuration,” US Air Forces Europe said in a statement. “Our units continue to monitor the airspace and work with host country authorities and our mission partners to ensure the safety of personnel, resources and assets.”
A US Air Force Lockheed MC-130J Commando II Hercules (STRIX44) of the 67th Special Operations Squadron (Sweet Owls) approaches RAF Mildenhall in England on Oct. 5, 2020. (Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The drone attacks come a month after Fox first reported that surveillance planes flew for 17 days near Langley Air Force Base in Virginia last December. Those drones were bigger but they posed the same challenge to commanders on the ground.
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Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which the US Air Force describes as the base for its combat capability in Europe. Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, and Feltwell is a center for housing, schools and other services. Fairford is home to the 501st Combat Support Wing Headquarters and the 420th Air Base Squadron.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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