US Air Force Responds to Suspected Drone Activity Over RAF Lakenheath

The US Air Force said it responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday evening.

A US Air Force spokesperson confirmed that no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected. The Ministry of Defence said it was coordinating with all relevant parties and that US security personnel had dealt with the reports, resolving the situation.

West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy said he had been in touch with base authorities, who assured him there was no threat to the public and that the incident was now resolved. He urged the public to report any suspicious activity.

The incident follows heightened security at US bases in the UK after a September event at RAF Fairford, which the Prime Minister said involved Iran. Police searches of vans near the base found petrol but no explosives, and two men have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service over alleged involvement.

Earlier in the week, at least 12 US Air Force aircraft left nearby RAF Mildenhall, including two Boeing KC‑135 Stratotankers, one heading towards Germany and another landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow. The Wall Street Journal linked the departures to a further Iranian threat, though the BBC has not verified this claim.

RAF Lakenheath hosts the US Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing, with nearly 7,000 active‑duty personnel and four combat‑ready fighter squadrons, making it the largest US fighter operation in Europe.

Source: BBC News. Photo: Emma Benitez / Pexels.