The US Air Force activated emergency security procedures at RAF Lakenheath in eastern England on Friday night, November 13, following reports of unauthorized drones over the installation. Personnel were ordered to shelter in place, although authorities have not confirmed how many drones were involved or who was operating them.
The incident occurred at a base that hosts the 48th Fighter Wing, equipped with F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle fighters. Lakenheath is one of the United States' principal combat aviation installations in Europe.
According to Sky News, sirens sounded at the base and military personnel received an emergency notification instructing them to seek shelter. The message indicated that the alert was an actual security incident rather than an exercise.
The Air Force confirmed that security personnel responded to reports of suspected unauthorized drone activity. No injuries, aircraft damage or damage to facilities were reported.
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The British Ministry of Defence subsequently said the incident had been resolved, although American and British authorities were continuing to investigate the circumstances.
Security concerns at nearby US bases
The alert followed a series of security incidents involving American military installations in the United Kingdom, including RAF Mildenhall, located near Lakenheath in Suffolk.
Earlier in November, more than a dozen US military aircraft were moved from Mildenhall amid concerns about a potential threat to the installation. The aircraft reportedly included KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft.
According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, cited by The War Zone, the threat was believed to be linked to Iran. Mildenhall was also placed under Force Protection Condition Charlie, a heightened security level used when intelligence indicates a possible threat or an incident has occurred.
The reported threat prompted the relocation of some aircraft to other installations. Sky News reported that at least two aircraft from Mildenhall had been transferred to Lakenheath before Friday's drone alert.
RAF Fairford, another installation used by the US Air Force in England, has also been the subject of security concerns following a British investigation into suspected activity linked to Iranian intelligence.
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There is no confirmed connection between the suspected drones at Lakenheath and Iran, and US authorities have not publicly identified the operators or established a motive.
Lakenheath experienced drone incursions in 2024
The latest alert also recalls a series of unidentified drone sightings around American air bases in Britain in November 2024.
During that episode, drones were reported near Lakenheath, Mildenhall and other installations over several days, prompting additional security measures and cooperation between American and British authorities.
The identities of the operators were never publicly established, and officials did not disclose a definitive explanation for the activity.
In the November 13 incident, authorities have likewise not confirmed whether the suspected drones entered restricted airspace, how long the security alert lasted or whether any counter-drone measures were deployed.
There has also been no official confirmation that flight operations at Lakenheath were suspended during the alert.
