Unauthorized Drones Intrude Over Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana

Severity: Medium (Score: 56.7)

Sources: Newsweek, Aa.Tr, Ksla, Theatlantic

Summary

During the week of March 9, 2026, Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana detected multiple unauthorized drones flying over its airspace. The base, which hosts the U.S. Air Force's B-52 bomber fleet, confirmed these incursions and stated that flying a drone over a military installation is a criminal offense under federal law. Lawmakers, including Senator Bill Cassidy, are set to receive classified briefings regarding the incidents. Reports indicate that the drones exhibited evasive maneuvers, suggesting a coordinated effort to avoid detection. The base issued a shelter-in-place order on March 9 due to the drone activity, which lasted nearly a week. Security forces observed waves of 12-15 drones operating over sensitive areas, raising significant security concerns. Investigations are ongoing, with federal and local law enforcement agencies involved. The safety of the base and its personnel remains a top priority. Key Points: • Multiple unauthorized drones were detected over Barksdale Air Force Base in March 2026. • The incursions prompted a shelter-in-place order and ongoing investigations by law enforcement. • Drones displayed evasive actions, indicating possible coordinated efforts to avoid detection.

Key Entities

• Epic Fury (campaign)
• Barksdale Air Force Base (company)