US Air Force Base Closes Airspace Due to Drone Observations
Washington, December 16 (Hibya) - According to a base spokesperson and an announcement posted on a federal website, drone activity prompted officials to close the airspace over one of the most critical US Air Force bases for about four hours on Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Bob Purtiman, Chief of Public Affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, told CNN via WHIO that the airspace remained restricted for about four hours as authorities monitored the situation.
Purtiman said that the drones, described as "small unmanned aerial systems," were observed by base units and that no attacks affecting the base residents or facilities had been identified.
The War Zone first reported this airspace closure on Sunday.
CNN reached out to the Air Force for a comment but did not receive a response.
This airspace closure at Wright-Patterson Base comes amid a series of mysterious drone sightings that have alarmed residents and local officials, particularly in the Northeast.
Drone sightings have also occurred near other military facilities, such as Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, as well as near critical infrastructure like reservoirs.
Drone activity near US military facilities has also been reported overseas. In November, British airbases used by the US Air Force reported drone attacks. Authorities confirmed that the attacks did not affect residents or critical infrastructure, and an investigation into their origin is ongoing.
Authorities have called for calm, emphasizing that there is no evidence that the observations pose a security threat.
Wright-Patterson Base, located about five miles outside Dayton, hosts critical US Air Force commands, including the Air Force Research Laboratory, which, according to a video on its website, seeks ways to counter technological threats to our way of life.
An undated animation video shows a drone approaching a remote US military outpost.
British News Agency