The United States Air Force has responded to suspected unauthorised drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, United Kingdom, amid heightened security at American military bases across the country.
The US Air Force said the incident occurred on Friday evening, adding that no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected by the suspected drone activity.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence told the BBC that it was “coordinating with all relevant parties”, noting that US Air Force security personnel had responded to the reports and the situation had been resolved.
“We are working closely with them to establish the facts,” the spokesperson added.
The development followed unconfirmed reports that sirens had sounded at the military base, with residents of a nearby village reportedly hearing them.
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy said he had contacted authorities at the base and was informed that there was no danger to the public.
“Given the raised threat level, I continue to encourage everyone to report anything suspicious or out of the ordinary to the authorities,” he said in a social media post.
The incident comes amid increased security activities at US military installations in the UK following an incident at RAF Fairford in September, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran played a part in.
Police searches of vans near the base reportedly uncovered petrol but no explosives, while two men have been charged over their alleged involvement in the incident.
Iran has denied responsibility.
The US subsequently withdrew all its bombers from RAF Fairford in October.
Meanwhile, at least 12 US Air Force aircraft departed the nearby RAF Mildenhall base earlier this week.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the movement was linked to a further threat from Iran, although the BBC said it had not independently verified the claim.
RAF Lakenheath hosts the US Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing.
The base has nearly 7,000 active-duty personnel and serves as the largest US fighter operation in Europe, with four combat-ready fighter squadrons.
