Suspected Drone Sparks Alert at RAF Lakenheath: What Happened & What's Next
US Air Force forces responded to suspected drone activity at RAF Lakenheath on Friday evening; no personnel or aircraft affected and the incident is resolved.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / US Air Force, Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew, 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs (public domain)
LONDON, Nov 14 — United States Air Force security forces responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England on Friday evening, sounding an alarm that told personnel to shelter in place at the largest American fighter base in Britain.
The United States Air Force in Europe said no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected. Britain’s Ministry of Defence said the situation was resolved and that it was working with American counterparts to establish the facts; the number and type of drones involved have not been disclosed.
Key Takeaways
- United States Air Force Security Forces responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity at RAF Lakenheath on Friday evening, Nov 13, at about 6:30 p.m. local time.
- No personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected, the United States Air Force in Europe said.
- Britain’s Ministry of Defence said the incident is resolved; MP Nick Timothy said there is no threat to the public.
- The third security incident at a United States base in Britain in recent weeks, after the alleged Fairford plot charges and the Mildenhall aircraft withdrawal.
What Happened at RAF Lakenheath on Friday Evening
The alarm sounded at about 6:30 p.m. local time, and residents in a nearby village reported hearing sirens. A rare alert message told personnel to shelter in place while security forces responded.
A spokesperson for the United States Air Force in Europe said: “This evening, USAF Security Forces personnel responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath. No personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected.” Britain’s Ministry of Defence said it was coordinating with all relevant parties and that the situation was now resolved, adding that it would provide updates in due course.
Why RAF Lakenheath Matters: F-35s, F-15Es and 7,000 US Personnel
RAF Lakenheath, in Suffolk, hosts the United States Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, which operates the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-35A Lightning II. With nearly 7,000 active-duty personnel and four combat-ready fighter squadrons, the wing describes itself as the largest United States fighter operation in Europe.
The base is one of the principal United States Air Force installations in Europe. The alert came on the same day the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide ground stop in the United States after a telecommunications outage.
RAF Lakenheath Drone Incident in Context: Fairford Plot and UK Base Security
The alert followed a week of heightened security around American bases in Britain. Earlier in the week, the United States Justice Department announced charges against three men it described as Iranian operatives over an alleged terrorist plot at RAF Fairford, another British base.
In recent weeks the United States moved bombers used to strike Iran out of Fairford and relocated large refuelling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall to Germany. Officials said three United States bases in Britain have now been affected.
| Date | Base | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 13 evening | RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk | Suspected unauthorised drone activity; alarm sounded, personnel told to shelter in place; no damage or injuries; resolved |
| Earlier this week | RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire | Justice Department charges three men described as Iranian operatives over alleged plot at the base |
| This week | RAF Mildenhall, Suffolk | United States withdraws large refuelling aircraft to Germany amid heightened threat concerns |
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone hurt in the RAF Lakenheath drone incident?
No. The United States Air Force in Europe said no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected, and local MP Nick Timothy said he was told there is no threat to the public.
Is RAF Lakenheath open after the drone alert?
Officials have not announced any closure of the base. The Ministry of Defence said the incident is resolved and that it is working with American counterparts to establish the facts.
What is RAF Lakenheath and why is it important?
RAF Lakenheath hosts the United States Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, which operates F-15E Strike Eagle and F-35A Lightning II aircraft. With nearly 7,000 active-duty personnel, it is the largest United States fighter operation in Europe.
Has this happened at other US bases in the UK?
Yes. Officials said three United States bases in Britain have been affected by security incidents in recent weeks, including the alleged plot at RAF Fairford and the withdrawal of refuelling aircraft from RAF Mildenhall.
The Ministry of Defence said it will provide updates in due course as enquiries into the incident continue.
