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26-11-2024
LONDON: A number of unidentified drones have been spotted over three airbases in Britain, the United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed.
The incidents, which occurred between Wednesday and Friday, saw “small unmanned aerial systems” spotted over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in the neighboring county of Norfolk.
The USAF, which uses the bases, said it was unclear at this stage whether the drones were considered hostile.
It also declined to comment on whether any defence mechanisms were used, but said it retained “the right to protect” installations.
A spokesperson for USAF in Europe said: “We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems [UASs] were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell.
“The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size/configuration.
“The UASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure.
“To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation.
“We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.”
RAF Mildenhall is primarily home to the USAF’s 100th Air Refueling Wing; RAF Lakenheath is home to USAF F-35A and F-15E fighter jets, while RAF Feltwell is mainly concerned with logistics and offers housing for military personnel.
A spokesperson for the British Ministry of Defence, which owns the bases, said: “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.
“This includes counter drone security capabilities.
“We won’t comment further on security procedures.”
Meanwhile, Plans to close a US Air Force (USAF) base have been scrapped.
RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk had been due to shut in 2027, but has now been deemed “crucial to operational efficiency” of US forces in Europe.
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s announcement of the withdrawal of almost 12,000 troops from Germany.
USAF Capt Shelley Spreier said the decision to keep RAF Mildenhall open was part of “the adjustments to our US troop presence”.
The closure of the station was first announced in 2015 and was originally due to shut in 2023, but that date was pushed back to 2027.
The move would have resulted in more than 500 USAF personnel and their families relocating to RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Capt Spreier said: “There are currently no plans to close RAF Mildenhall.”
She added the Office of the Secretary of Defence had been working with Congress “and our Nato and European allies and partners on the adjustments to our US troop presence in Europe and has determined the positioning and operations of RAF Mildenhall are crucial to operational efficiency”.
President Trump said the decision to move troops out of Germany was in response to it failing to meet Nato targets on defence spending.
The United States Air Force (USAF) has confirmed it will pull out of three UK airbases.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Americans will leave RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.
The move is part of a program to save £320m ($500m) a year across Europe. The USAF lease the RAF bases. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
