US military responds to suspected drone activity at RAF Lakenheath

Summarised from 10 outlets · 11 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 09:56 · Archive

US Air Force security forces responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday evening. Air raid sirens were heard sounding at and near the base, with nearby residents reporting the alarm.

The US military stated that no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected by the activity. A US European Command spokesperson said: "We continue to work closely with our host nation counterparts to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, US and host nation civilians, contractors, and all of our families."

The spokesman urged the public to report any unusual or suspicious activity to local authorities. The base, which is home to the 48th fighter wing with almost 7,000 active-duty personnel, is the largest US fighter operation in Europe.

The Ministry of Defence said it was coordinating with all relevant parties and that the situation was now resolved. It added: "We are working closely with them to establish the facts. We will provide updates in due course."

Nick Timothy, Conservative MP for West Suffolk, confirmed that authorities at the base had told him there was no threat to the public and the incident had been resolved. He advised residents to report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to the authorities, citing a raised threat level.

The alert came days after the US moved more than a dozen aircraft from RAF Mildenhall, also in Suffolk, reportedly due to a threat. The move followed an incident at RAF Fairford several weeks ago when suspicious vans were spotted approaching the site. British authorities linked that plot to Iran, leading the US to withdraw bombers stationed there. Several men have been charged in connection with the Fairford incident.

How it is being reported

• US Air Force alerted to suspected ‘unauthorised drones’ at RAF LakenheathThe main entrance at the RAF Lakenheath airbase, which hosts United States Air Force (USAF) personnel (Picture: REUTERS) US military personnel were ordered to take cover at RAF Lakenheath following ‘suspected unauthorised drone activity’. The base, which hosts American military forces in the UK…Metro · 14 Nov, 07:58
• US Air Force responds to major suspected drone alert at RAF LakenheathThe Ministry of Defence said the situation “is now resolved” and it is “working closely” with the US Air Force to establish the factsThe Mirror · 14 Nov, 03:13
• RAF base on lockdown as US military respond to 'unauthorised drone activity'It comes after the US pulled some of its bombers from another RAF base.Daily Express · 13 Nov, 22:49
• Unauthorized drones at UK air force base prompt security response just weeks after Iran-linked plot against US planesThe US military is taking “all measures” to keep base installations, aircraft and service members safe, a spokesperson for US European Command said.New York Post · 13 Nov, 21:30
• US air force responds to suspected drone activity at RAF LakenheathNo personnel, aircraft or infrastructure at Suffolk site affected, says US military The US air force has said it responded to “suspected unauthorised drone activity” on Friday night at an airbase in the east of England. No personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected, the air force said. Continue reading...The Guardian · 13 Nov, 21:01
• Unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath triggers security response from US militaryThe US military said they had responded to the drone activity on Friday eveningThe Independent · 13 Nov, 20:55
• US Air Force responds to ‘suspected unauthorised drone activity’ over RAF LakenheathThe Ministry of Defence has not responded to repeated requests for comment regarding the Suffolk baseThe i Paper · 13 Nov, 20:49
• US Air Force says it responded to 'suspected drones' over RAF LakenheathThe American military says there were no injuries or damage after "suspected unauthorised drone activity" this evening.BBC News · 13 Nov, 20:46
• ‘Drones’ over UK skies - US Air Force launches urgent responseA spokesperson for the US Air Force confirmed personnel responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF LakenheathDaily Express · 13 Nov, 20:41
• Air raid siren rings over RAF Lakenheath as US military responds to incident after personnel forced to take shelterAir raid sirens could be heard ringing out over RAF Lakenheath as the US military responds to an incident after their personnel were forced to take shelter. Nearby residents were left horrified while they could hear the spine-tingling siren, just days after the US withdrew its planes from a second British base. The US Air Force confirmed its team was responding to "suspected unauthorised drone activity" over the Suffolk site. This evening, a spokesman said: "This evening, USAF Security Forces personnel responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath. TRENDING Stories…GB News · 13 Nov, 20:37
• US military responds to 'suspected unauthorised drone activity' at UK air baseUS personnel were forced to take shelter at RAF Lakenheath, a major base hosting American forces in the UK, following "suspected unauthorised drone activity".Sky News · 13 Nov, 16:29

In this story: RAF Lakenheath · Suffolk · US Air Force · Nick Timothy · RAF Mildenhall · RAF Fairford · Ministry of Defence

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