UPDATED: US Air Force says drones still being spotted over bases in England
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Unidentified drones are still being spotted over United States Air Force (USAF) bases in England on Wednesday, a USAF spokesperson said, confirming that a fourth base had also been targeted by the week-long airspace incursions.
Since the first small unmanned aerial system was first spotted on Nov. 20, the number of drones has fluctuated and there have been a range of different sizes and configurations, said the U.S. Air Forces in Europe spokesperson.
The drones have also been seen over RAF Fairford, in western England, the spokesperson said, adding to the sightings reported on Tuesday over three bases in eastern England, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell.
The drones have to date not impacted the bases, which are leased by the USAF from Britain.
“Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets,” the spokesperson said.
“We do not discuss specific force protection measures, however we retain the right to protect our installations.”
Britain said it was providing support to the U.S. Air Force response, with local media reporting 60 military personnel had been deployed to help investigate the issue.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said that the U.S. military was taking the incidents seriously.
“Installation leaders have determined so far that none of these incursions impact the base residents, the facilities or the assets that we have on those bases,” Ryder said.
He said that small drones are fairly common and it was too soon to draw conclusions about whether they were sent by hobbyists or others.
Citing sources, PA Media reported that British troops have been drafted in to help the U.S. Air Force find out who was responsible for the drones flying over its bases. The Times newspaper said about 60 military personnel have been deployed.
The MOD and the USAF did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the deployment of the troops.
