Unidentified drones have been sighted over three US air bases in the UK within the past week. According to a United States Air Force (USAF) statement, a number of "small unmanned aerial systems” of various sizes were spotted between the 20th and 22nd of November over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, all of which are used by the US. Small drones spotted above US airbases in UK this week The USAF said it was not clear if the drones were hostile, claiming that the unmanned systems were actively monitored before base leaders determined that "none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure.
" A spokesperson for US air forces in Europe told The War Zone , "We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell between 20 and 22 November ." The drones were said to have "ranged in size and configuration" and their numbers varied in quantity in or around the three USAF-operated bases in the UK. No further operational details were discussed, so it isn't clear if these were large-scale 'swarms' or simply a few active drones.
One of the occurrences happened at RAF Lakenheath, home to the 48th Fighter Wing and its F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35A Lightning II fighter jets; the base is also set to accommodate US nuclear weapons for the first time in 15 years. According to The War Zone, there were reports that F-15Es were scrambled to intercept.