The United States Air Force confirmed that personnel responded to reports of “suspected unauthorised drone activity” near RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk on Friday evening. A spokesperson for the force stated that the incident resulted in no harm to personnel, aircraft, or base infrastructure.
Local residents reported hearing sirens near the base, though officials have since declared the situation resolved. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence noted that they are “coordinating with all relevant parties” and working to establish the facts surrounding the unauthorized activity.
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy confirmed in a social media update that he had communicated with base authorities. He stated that the public is not under threat and encouraged citizens to continue reporting any suspicious behavior to local authorities given the currently elevated threat level.
This incident follows significant movement at the nearby RAF Mildenhall base, where at least 12 US aircraft departed earlier this week. These included two Boeing Stratotanker KC-135 refueling planes; one was observed landing at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow, while another appeared to be en route to Germany. While some reports have linked these movements to potential threats from Iran, those claims remain unverified.
Security measures at US bases across the UK have been heightened since an incident at RAF Fairford in September. During that event, vans were searched near the base, revealing petrol but no explosives. Two individuals were subsequently charged by the Crown Prosecution Service in connection with that investigation. Although Iran denied involvement, the US military ultimately removed its bombers from RAF Fairford in October.
RAF Lakenheath serves as the headquarters for the 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing. As the largest US fighter operation in Europe, the base hosts approximately 7,000 active-duty personnel and manages four combat-ready fighter squadrons.
Despite these security concerns, the government has maintained that British airbases remain safe and that the protection of these facilities continues to be a top national priority.
