The US Air Force has responded to reports of suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk prompting heightened security attention at the military installation.
A US Air Force spokesperson confirmed that security personnel dealt with the reported drone activity on Friday evening. The spokesperson said no military personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected.
The incident came after residents in a nearby village reportedly heard sirens, although reports about the circumstances surrounding the alert have not been independently confirmed.
A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence told the BBC that authorities were coordinating with relevant parties. The ministry confirmed that US Air Force security personnel had responded to the reports and that the situation had been resolved.
“We are working closely with them to establish the facts,” the spokesperson said.
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy also confirmed that he had contacted officials at the base. According to him, authorities said there was no threat to the public and the incident had been brought under control.
He urged residents to report anything suspicious or unusual to the relevant authorities, citing the elevated security threat level.
The latest incident comes amid increased security activity at American military installations across the United Kingdom.
Earlier in the week, at least 12 US military aircraft departed RAF Mildenhall, another airbase in Suffolk. The aircraft included two Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling planes, with one reportedly heading towards Germany and another landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the aircraft movements were linked to a fresh threat from Iran. However, the BBC said it had not independently verified the claim.
Security concerns have also followed an incident at RAF Fairford in September. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran had played a role in that incident, while Tehran denied responsibility.
Police searches of vans near the base reportedly found petrol but no explosives. Two men have since been charged over their alleged involvement.
Following the incident, the United States withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford in October.
Downing Street has maintained that British airbases are safe and that protecting their security remains a government priority.
RAF Lakenheath hosts the US Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, known as the Liberty Wing. The installation has nearly 7,000 active-duty personnel and operates four combat-ready fighter squadrons, making it the largest US fighter operation in Europe, according to its website.
