Unknown drone activity forced one of the U.S.’s most critical military installations to shut down for several hours late Friday evening and Saturday morning, officials confirmed.
The incident prompted heightened security measures and temporarily halted operations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Home to the 88th Air Base Wing, Wright-Patterson is one of the largest and most strategically important bases in the U.S., tasked with advanced research, intelligence, and operations.
Unauthorized drone activity in military airspace poses significant risks, from espionage to safety hazards.
In audio recordings by the Air Force Base air traffic control, which were shared online, an operator can be heard saying they are diverting ‘over base’ air traffic due to ‘heavy unknown UAS activity’, adding to ‘use extreme caution’ as Wright-Patterson is ‘now closed.’
The Air Force’s National Air Intelligence Center (NAIC) and the Space Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) are both garrisoned at the Ohio base, serving as the Intelligence Community’s leading organizations for strategic air and space threat analysis.
Newsweek contacted Wright-Patterson Air Base, NAIC, the Ohio governor’s office, and the FBI via email outside of working hours on Monday for comment.
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Robert Purtiman, a spokesman for Wright Patterson, said small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of the base late Friday, WCPO reported.
“So far, our leadership has determined that none of the incursions impacted any of our residents, facilities, or assets. We’re taking all of the appropriate measures to safeguard the installation and all of our residents,” Purtiman said.
He confirmed that the airfield was shut down for around four hours late Friday evening into early Saturday morning and said this was the first time an incident like this has happened to his knowledge.
No injuries or damage were reported during the airspace closure and base operations resumed later on Saturday without disruption.
As reported by WCPO, Purtiman said the number of systems spotted had fluctuated and ranged in size and configuration.
“Our team continues to monitor the local airspace, and we’re working with local authorities to ensure the safety of our personnel, facilities, and assets,” he said.
The drone activity in Ohio highlights growing concerns over the misuse of drones near sensitive military and civilian infrastructure and is the latest in a series of mystery drone activity across several states recently namely Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey.
The latter includes sightings near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research facility.
As reported by Newsweek, in a joint statement with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said there is “no evidence” that the reported drone sightings pose a “national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.”
The appearance of the drones in New Jersey has confounded law enforcement, and large drones spotted across the state have evaded traditional detection methods, the DHS has said.
As reported by Cleveland.com, the FBI is among several agencies investigating and has asked residents to share videos, photos, and other information they may have about the drones.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits drone operations within restricted zones around military bases without prior authorization. Violators face fines and possible criminal charges.
Newsweek contacted the FAA via email on Monday for comments outside of working hours.
“Reports of unmanned aircraft (UAS) sightings from pilots, citizens, and law enforcement remain high,” the agency stated on its website.
“The FAA receives more than 100 such reports each month. The agency wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes, helicopters and airports is dangerous and illegal.
“Unauthorized operators may be subject to stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time.”
The FAA states it continues to work closely with its industry partners to educate drone operators about where and how to fly safely.
The agency also is working closely with the law enforcement community to identify and investigate unauthorized unmanned aircraft operations.