US Air Force responds to 'suspected unauthorised drone activity' over RAF Lakenheath

Suspicious drones have been sighted over a Suffolk airbase , days after the US pulled its planes from another British site.

The US Air Force confirmed that its personnel had “responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity” over RAF Lakenheath, saying that no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected.

An unconfirmed video circulating online appeared to show sirens blaring in the area.

The Ministry of Defence said the situation “is now resolved” and it is “working closely” with the US Air Force to establish the facts.

Downing Street insisted earlier this week that British air bases are safe and their security is a “top priority” after US aircraft were moved from nearby RAF Mildenhall, also in Suffolk.

The US has 12 airbases in the UK ; however, The i Paper understands that the incident only affected RAF Lakenheath.

RAF Lakenheath said in September that it was on “Charlie alert”, the second-highest threat level that can be issued by the US Department of Defence.

It is to the 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, with almost 7,000 active-duty personnel making it the largest US fighter operation in Europe, according to the official base website.

Nick Timothy, Conservative MP for West Suffolk, said the incident was resolved with no threat to the public, but did not say what had happened.

“Following the speculation the alarm at RAF Lakenheath, I have been in touch with the authorities at the base. I am told there is no threat to the public, and the incident is now resolved,” he wrote on .

Commenting under Timothy’s social media update, one mother said her daughter was still “stuck on the base with no idea when they can come ”, but the status of the base has not been confirmed.

More than 12 US Air Force aircraft were moved from RAF Mildenhall this week, reportedly after threats from Iran to attack the base . The move came weeks after the US withdrew its bombers from RAF Fairford over a suspected Iran-linked security incident.

The US uses British bases to launch jets for military strikes on Iran, though then-prime minister Keir Starmer stipulated this must only be for “defensive” action. Because of this, Iran has said it considers the bases legitimate targets.

In September, a major incident was declared at RAF Fairford after three suspicious vans were seen approaching the site.

A spokesperson for the US Air Force said that the force “continues to work closely with our host nation counterparts to ensure the safety and security of our US service members, US and host nation civilians, contractors and all of our families.

“Protecting our shared community is a joint responsibility, and we encourage everyone to support this effort by reporting any unusual or suspicious activity to local authorities.”

An MoD spokesperson said: “We are co-ordinating with all relevant parties regarding reports of unauthorised drone activity at RAF Lakenheath this evening.

“USAF Security Forces personnel responded to the reports and the situation is now resolved.

“We are working closely with them to establish the facts. We will provide updates in due course.”