RAF Lakenheath possible drone activity prompts US response

US forces responded to possible drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in Britain on Friday, a US Air Force spokesperson said, adding that no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected.

The spokesperson said US forces were working with British counterparts to protect US service members, civilians, contractors and families at the base.

Earlier this week, RAF Lakenheath urged people on its official Facebook page to report suspicious activity, including unauthorised drone activity.

The incident came during heightened concern around British bases hosting US military aircraft. Earlier in the week, the US Justice Department announced charges against three men it described as “Iranian operatives” over their alleged role in a terrorist plot at RAF Fairford, another British base.

US charging documents said one man directed unidentified people to drive vans to RAF Fairford in September, some containing fuel barrels, and earlier paid the group to buy metallic objects that could be used as shrapnel. UK police last month charged two British men with national security offences related to the RAF Fairford incident.

Flight-tracking data also showed on Tuesday that the US military had removed at least a dozen aircraft from RAF Mildenhall after what the Wall Street Journal said was a threat from Iran. Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned in an interview broadcast Wednesday that US bases beyond the Middle East, including in Europe, could be struck if they are used for attacks against Iran.