What is happening with the drones detected over air bases in England?

Over the last few weeks, a number of drones have been mysteriously spotted at three air bases used by the US Air Force (USAF) in the UK.

The drones were first spotted on 20 November over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.

The unusual activity led to an investigation by plainclothes police and was supported by the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD).

Approximately 60 British soldiersCounter-drone specialists were also deployed to help defend the bases.

What we know about drone observations

The drones were first spotted near three air bases last Wednesday.

Similar movements occurred again “overnight hours” on Friday, November 22, and on Monday this week, a spokesman for the USAF in Europe said.

The spokesman said the number of aircraft “fluctuates” and “varies between bases”.

When asked by Sky News security and defense editor Deborah HaynesThe spokesman said there was “no impact on residents or infrastructure and (they) are not identified as hostile.”

“But they are still constantly monitored to ensure the safety and security of the facilities.”

Haynes added that “it remains unclear how many drones were involved, who was operating them and why they did so” but that the UK’s deployment of military personnel appeared “serious enough”.

Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which the USAF describes as the foundation of its combat capability in Europe.

Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, and Feltwell is a hub for housing, schools and other services.

Three bases were leased from England by the USAF.

What did England and the USA say?

The Department of Defense said it supported the USAF’s response to the sightings, adding that it “takes the threats seriously.”

This response is understood to have involved the deployment of around 60 military personnel, including members of the RAF Regiment Force Protection Wing, with specialist skills in countering drones, to help protect US bases and try to find out who was responsible for operating the drones. .

According to the RAF website, RAF troops operate the ORCUS countercrewless aerial system, which is capable of “detecting, tracking, identifying and, if necessary, defeating enemy drones”.

U.S. military units said Tuesday evening they were still monitoring airspace over the three bases.

Who might be operating the drones?

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Tuesday it was too early to conclude whether the drones were sent by hobbyists.

He admitted that small drones are quite common.

But a security source told Sky News the drone activity was “highly co-ordinated”. Another said it was “weird” and “so weird.”

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the drones did not appear to be the work of amateurs, adding that the US military would continue to investigate.

Read more from Sky News:
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Although it is unclear whether the drones carried hostile intent, these images occurred at a time when hostilities between Russia and Ukraine had increased significantly.

Ukraine hit targets inside Russia with medium-range missiles Provided by USA and UK After President Joe Biden authorized the use of guns.

Shortly thereafter, President Vladimir warned that he might retaliate against countries that supplied weapons used against targets in Russia.

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