Unidentified drones were spotted flying over and near three Royal Air Force (RAF) bases in eastern England used by the United States Air Force (USAF), between Wednesday and Friday. The affected bases—RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell—are located in Suffolk and Norfolk and play critical roles in U.S. military operations in Europe.
According to the USAF, the drones were actively monitored throughout the incidents. USAF said the numbers and designs of the drones varied and their origin remained unclear. Officials reported that the incursions did not harm residents or critical infrastructure.
RAF Lakenheath hosts the USAF’s 48th Fighter Wing, the only F-15 fighter jet wing in Europe, which supports combat operations across the region. RAF Mildenhall is home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, critical for aerial refueling missions, and RAF Feltwell serves as a logistical hub providing housing and support services for U.S. personnel.
The recent incident occurred after reports that Ukraine used U.S. and UK-provided missiles to strike targets inside Russia for the first time, prompting retaliatory ballistic missile strikes from Moscow. Both U.S. and U.K. authorities are investigating the incidents and continue to monitor airspace around the bases.
