On the evening of November 13, the United States Air Force reported an incident of “suspected unauthorized drone activity” at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath base in the UK, where U.S. military personnel are stationed. In response to this threat, security forces at the base took immediate action.
According to reports from the Financial Times, following the appearance of suspicious drones, military personnel at Lakenheath were temporarily ordered to take cover to ensure their safety.
Witness videos circulating on social media captured sounds of alarms blaring from the airbase, and residents from nearby villages reported to the BBC that they also heard these alarms during the incident.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Air Force confirmed that the incident did not result in any injuries, damage to aircraft, or harm to facilities. They emphasized their ongoing collaboration with UK authorities to ensure the safety of U.S. military personnel, civilians, contractors, and their families.
However, the U.S. Air Force did not disclose how base security forces reacted to the situation, nor did they specify how many drones may have invaded the airspace around the base.
RAFB Lakenheath is home to the U.S. Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the “Liberty Wing,” which comprises nearly 7,000 active duty personnel, a portion of whom are stationed at this base. The unit’s website states that the “Liberty Wing” is the largest fighter operation unit of the U.S. military in Europe, equipped with four combat-ready fighter squadrons.
In light of the incident, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that it had coordinated with relevant parties and confirmed that the situation has since been resolved. They are currently working with U.S. officials to ascertain the full details surrounding the occurrence.
Local Member of Parliament Nick Timothy also reported that he had been in contact with base officials, who assured him that the situation had concluded without any threats to personnel. He urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
This incident marks the fourth time in recent months that an American military base in the UK has triggered a security alert.
In September, five men were apprehended near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The U.S. Department of Justice later described this event as a thwarted terrorist attack. The indictment revealed that the incident was partially coordinated by Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, a dual national of Iraq and Iran, who was incarcerated in a New York prison.
At that time, British police indicated that they discovered gasoline in the suspects’ abandoned vehicle near the base but found no explosives.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham remarked that Iranian involvement was suspected in this incident, though Iranian authorities denied any association with such events.
In October, two Latvian men were arrested for illegally entering RAF Molesworth, a site used by the U.S. military, and were charged with violating the Official Secrets Act.
Following the Fairford situation, the U.S. military withdrew all bombers stationed at that base as a precautionary measure. Additionally, on November 10, U.S. forces announced the removal of two refueling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk due to security concerns.
Reports from the BBC indicate that at least 12 U.S. Air Force aircraft departed from the region this week.
The British Prime Minister’s office has stressed that RAF bases in the UK remain secure, with security and protection of these installations being a “top priority.”
Just two days prior to this incident, British counter-terrorism police arrested a 41-year-old senior U.S. military officer near Gloucester, who is suspected of engaging in espionage activities for Russia. He remains in custody and has yet to face charges.
On November 12, two Iranian men were convicted for conducting espionage on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, targeting journalists from the Iranian opposition media outlet, Iran International TV, located in London.