The US Air Force said it responded to “suspected unauthorised drone activity” over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday evening. Sirens were heard at the base, and the force said no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected; the Ministry of Defence said the situation was resolved.
The incident comes amid heightened security at US bases in the UK following an alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford in September that Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in. Two men have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service over their alleged involvement in the incident, and the US removed its bombers from Fairford in October.
The Ministry of Defence said it was coordinating with relevant parties and working to establish the facts. "USAF security forces personnel responded to the reports and the situation is now resolved," a spokesperson said.
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy said authorities at the base told him "there is no threat to the public, and the incident is now resolved". He added: "Given the raised threat level, I continue to encourage everyone to report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to the authorities."
The US Air Force said it continued to work closely with host nation counterparts to ensure safety and security.
Earlier this week, at least 12 US Air Force aircraft departed the nearby RAF Mildenhall base, including two Boeing Stratotanker KC-135 refuelling aircraft, with one apparently heading to Germany and another seen landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow. The Wall Street Journal reported the departure was in response to a further threat from Iran, a claim the BBC has not independently verified. Downing Street insisted this week that British airbases were safe and their security was a “top priority”.
RAF Lakenheath is home to the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing, which has nearly 7,000 active-duty personnel and is the largest US fighter operation in Europe, according to the base's website.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Drone activity at a major US airbase in the UK raises questions about security vulnerabilities and the nature of potential threats.
- The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions with Iran, following earlier incidents at RAF bases.
- US and UK forces remain on alert; any escalation could have implications for NATO posture and regional stability.
Background
RAF Lakenheath hosts the US Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, the largest US fighter operation in Europe, with nearly 7,000 active-duty personnel. In recent months, security at US bases in the UK has been tightened after an incident at RAF Fairford in September that Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in. Two men were charged over that incident, and the US removed bombers from Fairford in October. Earlier this week, at least 12 US aircraft departed RAF Mildenhall, with reports linking the move to an Iran threat.
What to Watch
- Any official determination of the drones' origin and purpose.
- Further movement of US assets from UK bases if threats persist.
- Any statement from Iranian officials regarding the incident or US accusations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe US Air Force said it responded to suspected drone activity at RAF Lakenheath.BBC News: “The US Air Force said it responded to "suspected unauthorised drone activity" over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday evening.”
- SupportedThe US Air Force described the activity as “suspected unauthorised drone activity”.BBC News: “The US Air Force said it responded to "suspected unauthorised drone activity" over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday evening.”
- SupportedNo personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected.BBC News: “No personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected, a spokesperson for the US Air Force said.”
- SupportedThe Ministry of Defence said the situation was resolved.World news | The Guardian: “USAF security forces personnel responded to the reports and the situation is now resolved.”
- SupportedSirens were heard at RAF Lakenheath.World news | The Guardian: “Sirens were heard at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, one of several airbases in the UK used by the US military.”
- SupportedNick Timothy said base authorities told him there was no threat to the public and the incident was resolved.World news | The Guardian: “The MP for West Suffolk, Nick Timothy, said the authorities at the base had told him “there is no threat to the public, and the incident is now resolved”.”
- SupportedHeightened security at US bases followed a September incident at RAF Fairford, and Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in it.BBC News: “There has been heightened security activity at US bases in the UK following an incident at RAF Fairford in September that Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in.”
- SupportedPolice investigated an alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford.World news | The Guardian: “Earlier this year, police investigated an alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and a trespass incident at RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire.”
- SupportedTwo men were charged by the Crown Prosecution Service over their alleged involvement in the Fairford incident.BBC News: “Two men have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service over their alleged involvement in the incident.”
- SupportedThe US removed its bombers from Fairford in October.BBC News: “While Iran denied any responsibility, the US removed all of its bombers from the base in October.”
- SupportedAt least 12 US Air Force aircraft left RAF Mildenhall, including two KC-135 refuelling aircraft; one was apparently headed towards Germany and another was seen landing at Prestwick.BBC News: “Earlier this week, at least 12 US Air Force aircraft departed the nearby RAF Mildenhall base. They included two Boeing Stratotanker KC-135 refuelling aircraft, with one apparently headed towards Germany and another seen landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow.”
- SupportedThe Wall Street Journal reported that the Mildenhall aircraft departure was in response to a further threat from Iran, and the BBC said it had not independently verified that claim.BBC News: “The Wall Street Journal reported the departure of the US aircraft from RAF Mildenhall this week was in response to a further threat from Iran but the BBC has not independently verified the claim.”