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US air force responds to suspected drone activity over UK airbase

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Personnel at RAF Lakenheath responded to unauthorized aerial devices, with Britain's Ministry of Defence confirming the situation was resolved without harm to personnel or equipment. The security scare adds to growing friction regarding foreign surveillance and planned assaults on American forces stationed in the United Kingdom. Recently, the US relocated bombers from RAF Fairford and moved refueling planes to Germany following specific threats tied to Iran. Officials are continuing joint inquiries to determine the exact origin and intent of the unmanned aircraft.

Key points

  • Heightened regional tensions have prompted US forces to shift strategic aircraft out of v…: Heightened regional tensions have prompted US forces to shift strategic aircraft out of vulnerable British installations.
  • British domestic intelligence warned that Iran is escalating efforts to target hardened m…: British domestic intelligence warned that Iran is escalating efforts to target hardened military facilities across the country.
  • The Iranian government has denied involvement in the RAF Fairford incident and rejected c…: The Iranian government has denied involvement in the RAF Fairford incident and rejected claims of malign actions.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The incident follows recent security concerns, with US military aircraft moved from British bases reportedly due to threats from Iran.

LONDON: United States 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.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said US Air Force Security Forces personnel had responded to reports of unauthorised drone activity and that the situation had been resolved.

"We are working closely with them to establish the facts. We will provide updates in due course," a ministry spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The US has in recent weeks moved bombers that had been used to strike Iran out of Britain, and relocated huge refuelling aircraft from Britain to Germany. The Wall Street Journal has reported that the refuelling…

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