The United States Air Force announced that it responded to suspected unauthorized drone activity at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday night. The base is located in the east of England and serves as a significant installation for American military operations within the United Kingdom.
According to the Air Force, the incident did not result in any damage to personnel, aircraft, or infrastructure. Sirens were heard at the base during the event, prompting a coordinated response from security teams to address the perceived threat.
In a statement, the force emphasized its ongoing collaboration with host nation counterparts to maintain the safety and security of US service members, civilians, contractors, and their families. The statement noted that protecting the shared community is a joint responsibility and encouraged everyone to report unusual or suspicious activity to local authorities.
Nick Timothy, the Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, relayed that base authorities informed him the incident is now resolved and that there is no threat to the public. He added that given the current raised threat level, he continues to urge residents to report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to the relevant authorities.
RAF Lakenheath has been on Charlie alert since September. This is the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of Defence. The base is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, which includes almost 7,000 active-duty personnel, making it the largest US fighter operation in Europe.
This latest incident follows a series of security events at other US Air Force bases in the UK earlier this year. Police investigated an alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and a trespass incident at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire. Both bases are utilized by the US Air Force.
In the past two months, the US evacuated planes from RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Fairford in response to suspected attacks allegedly linked to Iran. President Donald Trump stated in October that some threats led the US to pull its bombers from Fairford.
During searches of vans near RAF Fairford, police reported finding petrol but no explosives. Two men were subsequently charged by the Crown Prosecution Service over their alleged involvement in that incident.
This week, at least 12 US Air Force aircraft departed from the nearby RAF Mildenhall base. The group included two Boeing Stratotanker KC-135 refuelling aircraft. One of these aircraft was seen heading towards Germany, while another was observed landing at Prestwick airport near Glasgow.
Downing Street insisted earlier this week that British air bases are safe and that their security remains a top priority for the government.
