American personnel identified and addressed unauthorized drone activity at RAF Lakenheath on Friday evening, confirming no injuries or damage to aircraft and infrastructure. Officials are coordinating with local authorities to maintain safety across the base and surrounding community. The event follows recent heightened security alerts, including the transfer of refueling aircraft to Germany and bombers from RAF Fairford. Those prior bomber relocations occurred after men approached the facility at night, leading to charges against two individuals for allegedly aiding Iranian intelligence.
Key points
The drone sighting follows recent decisions to relocate American bombers and refueling ai…: The drone sighting follows recent decisions to relocate American bombers and refueling aircraft from British installations.
Large refueling planes were transferred to Germany following reports by The Wall Street J…: Large refueling planes were transferred to Germany following reports by The Wall Street Journal of an Iranian threat.
Two men were charged last month after approaching RAF Fairford, with prosecutors alleging…: Two men were charged last month after approaching RAF Fairford, with prosecutors alleging one assisted Iranian intelligence.
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The incident follows recent security concerns, with US military aircraft moved from British bases due to reported threats from Iran.
LONDON: US air force personnel at the RAF Lakenheath base in Britain responded to "suspected unauthorised drone activity" on Friday (Nov 13) evening, although no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected, a US air force spokesperson said.
"We continue to work closely with our host nation counterparts to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, US and host nation civilians, contractors, and all of our families," the spokesperson added.
The British Ministry of Defence was not immediately available for comment.
The US has in recent weeks moved bombers that had been used to strike Iran out of Britain, and switched huge refuelling aircraft from Britain to Germany.
The bombers left RAF Fairford on security grounds after a group of men approached the base in white vans in the middle of the night.
Two men were charged last month in relation to that incident, with prosecutors alleging one of them had tried to assist Iranian intelligence in Britain.
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