In late 2024, a series of unauthorized drone incursions were reported near military installations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, raising security concerns among defense officials. The incidents involved unidentified drones operating over or near sensitive sites, including US Air Force bases and defense-related industrial facilities. Military and law enforcement agencies in multiple countries launched investigations, deploying counter-drone measures and increasing security in response.
Europe United Kingdom Between 20 and 26 November 2024, a series of unauthorized drone activities was reported over and near four US Air Force bases in the United Kingdom: RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Feltwell, and RAF Fairford. These installations, located in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Gloucestershire, are critical to US military operations in Europe. The drone activity persisted for several days, raising concerns about the coordination and intent behind the incursions. Residents of Beck Row, Suffolk, located next to an RAF base, also reported drone sightings.Are mystery drones above US bases in England something sinister? by Matt Precey, 29 November 2024 BBC.Mystery Drones Spotted Over U.S. Air Bases in Britain, 27 November 2024, NY Times.Drones spotted near 4 bases used by US Air Force in England By Danica Kirka, The Associated Press, via website for Air Force Times.Unidentified drones spotted over three US Air Force bases in Britain, By Rob Picheta and Natasha Bertrand, CNN 24 November 2024. About sixty British combat troops were deployed to help to defend US bases against drones.
Incidents During the incursions, multiple small unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were observed entering restricted airspace. The drones varied in both number and type.
The incursions prompted joint monitoring and countermeasures by US and UK military personnel. British troops were deployed to assist in tracking and identifying the drone operators, using counter-drone systems such as ORCUS. The incursions also led to disruptions in flight operations, with F-15E Strike Eagles launched from RAF Lakenheath to investigate.
Authorities encountered difficulties in identifying the drone operators, raising concerns about potential espionage or hostile surveillance. The incursions heightened worries about the security of critical military infrastructure. Investigations are ongoing, and both the operators and their intentions remain unknown.
According to The New York Times, military analysts have concluded that the reported drones may have been on a surveillance mission for a state actor.
Air bases affected RAF Mildenhall supports refuelling and special operations, while RAF Feltwell provides logistical support for US forces.
RAF Lakenheath hosts the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, operating F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning II aircraft. In February 2024 US Department of Defense documents indicated RAF Lakenheath's facilities would be prepared to house nuclear weapons for an "upcoming nuclear mission".
RAF Fairford hosts a Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady detachment from the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron and is the US Air Force's only European airfield for heavy bombers. It routinely supports Bomber Task Force (BTF) operations.
Germany In August 2024, there were some reports of unidentified drones around US bases; at the time this was not the major news item that it later became in December 2024. One drone was reported to have traveled at 100 miles per hour. Various German officials began investigations.Drone sightings near bases, infrastructure unnerve German officials, By Linus Höller, Thursday, 29 August 2024, Defensenews. German news outlets reported some drone sightings over a chemical park in Brunsbuettel.German NATO air base lowers security level after ‘potential threat’ By AP Staff Friday, 23 August 2024, posted at Defensenews website. One NATO air base raised its alert level due to drones.Alert at NATO base in Germany was due to drone threat, source says, By Reuters, 26 August 2024.
In summer 2024, the prosecutor's office in Flensburg began investigating possible threats of espionage due to concerns about drones.Drones in the sky: Germany probes alleged espionage flights over Ramstein base. In recent weeks, drones have been spotted over key facilities in Germany, including the Ramstein military base. The site Spiegel.de reports that German security services are investigating these incidents as potential espionage activities. The American military has confirmed these incidents., by Bartłomiej Chudy, 14 December 2024, Daily Wrap German authorities began an official investigation into overflights by unknown drones, at sensitive sites. Germany concerned about Russian drone overflights of sensitive civilian and military sites An investigation was opened on Friday for 'suspicion of agent activity for sabotage purposes.'By Cécile Boutelet (Berlin (Germany) correspondent), 24 August 2024, Le Monde.
The US military confirmed increased sightings around bases in Germany in December 2024. This included Ramstein Air Base.Ramstein Air Base confirms unauthorized drone activity earlier this month, By JENNIFER H. SVAN, STARS AND STRIPES, 16 December 2024.More Small Drones: Air Force Bases in Ohio, Utah, Germany All Report Sightings 17 December 2024 | By Greg Hadley, Air and Space Forces Magazine. These sightings were reported in the newsmagazine Der Spiegel, as well as various US and UK news publications.U.S. military confirms drone sightings at air base in Germany, By Andreas Rinke and Rachel More, 13 December 2024, Reuters.Unidentified drones spotted over US air base in Germany, report says Guardian, 13 December 2024. Sightings were also reported around industrial facilities owned by Rheinmetall, a manufacturer of various weapons.Unidentified drones seen over US military base, industrial site in Germany, France24, 13 December 2024. This was discussed at an official conference by interior ministers from German states.
North America United States
Possible causes China Some US legislators have speculated that China was responsible for the drone activity.Is China Behind Mystery Drones? What We Know, 18 December 2024 Newsweek.
Russia An investigation into the UK drone incursions by The i Paper concluded suspected Russian links. The investigation was based on Open-source intelligence linking suspected GRU (Russian Federation) affiliated operatives working under cover as seasonal fruit pickers in the vicinity of the UK military installations.
Mass hysteria and mistaken identity Missy Cummings an academic and retired military pilot stated the sightings were likely to be misidentified aircraft, stars and other light sources such as towers. Robert Bartholomew, an expert in mass panics, compared the supposed drone wave to previous UFO hysterias involving supposed foreign surveillance of military installations, such as the mystery airship phenomenon and allegations of German air-raids on North America during World War I. It was confirmed by the FAA in January 2025 that all of the drones flying over the northeast US were FAA research drones.
See also 2019–20 Colorado drone sightings Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon/Unidentified Flying Object All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office List of unmanned aerial vehicle-related incidents Russian sabotage in Europe
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