A number of unidentified drones were recently spotted swarming over several Royal Air Force (RAF) bases housing American troops.
According to a statement from the US Air Force in Europe on Monday, the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were seen near RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell in eastern England between Wednesday and Saturday last week.
The drones varied in size and configuration, making it difficult to identify or trace their origin.
While the number of drones reportedly fluctuated, the US Air Force confirmed that the UAVs did not disrupt base operations or the personnel stationed there.
“To safeguard operational security, we do not discuss specific force protection measures,” the statement reads. “However, we retain the right to protect our installations.”
In addition to US personnel, RAF Lakenheath is home to America’s only F-35/F-15 fighter wing in Europe.
A Familiar Concern
The US Air Force did not disclose the types of drones involved or speculate on the identity of those responsible for the incidents.
However, such incidents are not new to the US military.
In December 2023, a similar swarm of unidentified UAVs was spotted near Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
The Pentagon has already received 18 reports of mysterious aircraft flying near US nuclear weapons sites, with 10 of these flights often lasting more than five minutes over sensitive areas.
Earlier this year, a high-ranking US Navy official accused China and Russia of trying to carry out espionage campaigns in the US by infiltrating American military bases.