US Air Force responds to suspected drone activity near Suffolk base
Officials say the incident is resolved, as the wider security picture for US bases in the UK remains under close watch.
Key points
- The US Air Force responded to a possible drone flight that was not authorised, above RAF Lakenheath on Friday evening
- The US Air Force says no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected
- West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy said base authorities told him the incident is resolved
- Reports of sirens at the base have not been confirmed
- Heightened security at US bases in the UK follows an incident at RAF Fairford in September
According to the BBC and The Guardian, American air force personnel acted on a possible unapproved drone flight above the Suffolk base late on Friday. The air force said no people, planes or essential structures were affected.
Residents in a nearby village reported hearing sirens at the base, but these reports remain unconfirmed. The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment, and no further details had been published at the time of reporting.
Local MP says the incident is over
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy said he had been in contact with authorities at the base. He said he was told there was ‘no threat to the public’ and that the matter had been closed.
In a social media post, Timothy said the raised threat level meant he continued to urge people to flag anything strange or suspicious to the authorities. The air force also asked the public to report unusual activity to local officials.
The air force said it continues to work closely with its host nation counterparts. Its stated aim is to protect US service members, civilians, contractors and families.
Aircraft movements earlier this week
Earlier this week, at least 12 US Air Force aircraft left the nearby RAF Mildenhall base. The group included two Boeing Stratotanker KC-135 refuelling aircraft. One was apparently headed towards Germany, and another was seen landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the departure from Mildenhall was a response to a further threat from Iran. The BBC said it has not independently verified that claim.
Downing Street said earlier this week that British airbases were safe and that their security was a top priority.
Wider security concerns at US bases
Security at US bases in the UK has been heightened since an incident at RAF Fairford in September. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in that incident. Iran has denied any responsibility.
Officers reported finding fuel, though no explosive material, when they checked vans close to the Fairford site. Prosecutors have brought charges against a pair of men over their suspected role in the incident. The United States removed all of its bombers from Fairford in October.
RAF Lakenheath hosts the 48th Fighter Wing of the US Air Force, also known as the Liberty Wing. According to the wing’s website, nearly 7,000 people on active duty are assigned to it, and a portion of them are based on site. It describes itself as the largest US fighter operation in Europe, with four combat-ready fighter squadrons.
What is not yet known
The source reports do not say who was behind the suspected drone activity, or whether any drones were actually seen. The sirens reported by residents have not been officially confirmed. Officials have not released further details about the incident.
The Guardian said more details would follow soon. Readers should treat the account of the incident as the air force’s initial statement and the MP’s update.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at RAF Lakenheath?
The US Air Force said it responded to suspected drone activity over the Suffolk base on Friday evening. It said no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected.
Is there a threat to the public?
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy said base authorities told him there was no threat to the public and that the incident was resolved. He urged people to report anything suspicious.
Why is security high at US bases in the UK?
Security was heightened after an incident at RAF Fairford in September, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in. Iran denied responsibility, and two men have been charged.
Sources
- BBC News: US Air Force says it responded to 'suspected drones' over RAF Lakenheath
- The Guardian: US air force responds to suspected drone activity at RAF Lakenheath
This article was written with the help of AI from reports by the outlets listed above. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
