Drone Incursions Over US Air Force Bases in England

RAF Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, flying F-15E and F-35A jets. In February 2024, US documents indicated the base was being prepared to house nuclear weapons. Nearby RAF Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing and the 352nd Special Operations Wing. RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk, provides logistics and support.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The first small drones were reported over the three bases. US Air Forces in Europe said they were actively monitored. "The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size/configuration." Col. Jack R. Arthaud, commander of the 48th Fighter Wing, told his airmen of "several sUAS or small drone sightings across the tri-base area since 20 Nov." Police logs later released under freedom of information record about 20 drone sightings between 20 and 22 November.

Witnesses described quadcopters and octocopters more sophisticated than consumer models. Some reported fixed-wing craft. Some heard petrol engines rather than electric motors. The drones entered low with lights visible. They left higher. In Beck Row, the village beside Mildenhall, Casseem Campbell described a triangle-shaped drone that looked "official". Chrystal Mason saw an orange ball of light that vanished suddenly.

Plane-spotters said F-15E Strike Eagles were launched in response. The Air Force never confirmed it. On Tuesday, November 26, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire was added. It is the USAF's only European heavy-bomber forward operating location. Four B-52s were there at the time.

November 22. Around 21:36 GMT. A National Police Air Service EC135 reached Lakenheath. The crew, a log records, "feel that drones have targeted them and chased them off at approximately 140 knots". A Suffolk Police log said they "were forced to take emergency evasive action in relation to a drone". An anonymous source told the Daily Mail the drones were "mirroring the helicopter's movements". The pilot reported two fast-moving craft. The infrared camera recorded the light they pursued.

Two US officials said the drones did not appear to be the work of hobbyists. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder reported "no operational impact or safety impact on our personnel". About 60 British troops deployed with counter-drone systems, including ORCUS. Defence Minister Maria Eagle said "we are taking steps and we are aware of what's going on." The Ministry of Defence Police opened a criminal investigation. Luke Pollard later told Parliament that information on it could not be released. One report says the Lakenheath probe ended with no suspects identified. Others describe it as ongoing.

The UK Airprox Board examined the helicopter encounter in report 2024294. It concluded the crew's "drones" were the lights of a USAF F-15. Radar showed no other unknown contacts. Mick West's reconstruction placed the F-15 about 2,000 ft above the helicopter. Ian Hudson of UAV Hive, who obtained the full video, said: "There is scepticism about drone sightings at night." Not everyone agrees. Former police detective Mike Morgan and meteorologist Stuart Onyeche believe both aircraft were responding to unmanned systems.

The wider flap has another reading. In February 2025, The i Paper linked three people with alleged Kremlin ties to the sightings. In June 2026, the IISS concluded it was "highly likely that the Kremlin conducted a UAV campaign over Europe". It named the Orlan-10 as one candidate. No government has made an official attribution.

Lakenheath has been here before. The 1956 Lakenheath-Bentwaters radar-visual case saw jets scrambled over the same base, and David Clarke drew the line between the two. Robert Bartholomew compared the 2024 drone panic to the mystery airship scares of 1914. The skies over Suffolk keep their questions.