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| UK military join hunt for drones near US airbases | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| British miltary expertise has been brought in to help find those responsible for flying drones near US military bases. | |
| About 60 RAF personnel have been sent to assist the US Air Force in its investigation, the BBC understands. | |
| The drones were not considered hostile, the USAF said, adding the sightings had "fluctuated and varied between the bases" and had "ranged in sizes and configurations". | The drones were not considered hostile, the USAF said, adding the sightings had "fluctuated and varied between the bases" and had "ranged in sizes and configurations". |
| The Ministry of Defence said: "We are supporting the US Air Force response." | |
| The news follows a number of recent reports of unmanned aerial vehicles spotted in the vicinity of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, both in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in neighbouring Norfolk. | The news follows a number of recent reports of unmanned aerial vehicles spotted in the vicinity of RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, both in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in neighbouring Norfolk. |
| Further drone activity had been reported overnight. The USAF said the vehicles were small in number and size. | Further drone activity had been reported overnight. The USAF said the vehicles were small in number and size. |
| A US Air Forces in Europe spokesman said: "We can confirm there were sightings yesterday during night-time hours and can only confirm that the number fluctuated and varied between the bases over the night." | A US Air Forces in Europe spokesman said: "We can confirm there were sightings yesterday during night-time hours and can only confirm that the number fluctuated and varied between the bases over the night." |
| The spokesman added that since the first sightings on 20 November there had been "no impact to residents or infrastructure and they have not been identified as hostile". | The spokesman added that since the first sightings on 20 November there had been "no impact to residents or infrastructure and they have not been identified as hostile". |
| However, the drones were still being monitored "to ensure the safety and security of the installations". | However, the drones were still being monitored "to ensure the safety and security of the installations". |
| They continued: "We request individuals in the area to contact either local police or security forces if they see anything suspicious." | They continued: "We request individuals in the area to contact either local police or security forces if they see anything suspicious." |
| 'Take threats seriously' | 'Take threats seriously' |
| Neither US or UK officials have said who might be behind the recent drone activity. | Neither US or UK officials have said who might be behind the recent drone activity. |
| But the BBC understands there were concerns a state actor might be involved. | But the BBC understands there were concerns a state actor might be involved. |
| In recent months intelligence officials have warned of increasing Russian sabotage operations against Western countries supporting Ukraine. | In recent months intelligence officials have warned of increasing Russian sabotage operations against Western countries supporting Ukraine. |
| RAF Mildenhall is primarily home to the USAF's 100th Air Refuelling Wing; RAF Lakenheath is home to USAF F-35A and F-15E fighter jets; and RAF Feltwell is mainly concerned with logistics and provides housing for military personnel. | RAF Mildenhall is primarily home to the USAF's 100th Air Refuelling Wing; RAF Lakenheath is home to USAF F-35A and F-15E fighter jets; and RAF Feltwell is mainly concerned with logistics and provides housing for military personnel. |
| A spokesman for the MoD, which owns the bases, said: "We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. | A spokesman for the MoD, which owns the bases, said: "We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. |
| "We are supporting the US Air Force response." | "We are supporting the US Air Force response." |
| The USAF has not said who it believed to be behind the incidents. | The USAF has not said who it believed to be behind the incidents. |
| LISTEN: The drones are believed not to be hostile | LISTEN: The drones are believed not to be hostile |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? | Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? |
| Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. | Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. |