U.S. Air Force personnel at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, were ordered to take shelter on Friday evening after suspected unauthorized drone activity was reported over the base, according to U.S. and British officials.
A U.S. European Command spokesperson said Air Force Security Forces responded to the reports and that no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected. The UK Ministry of Defence said it was coordinating with all relevant parties and that the situation had been resolved.
Sky News reported that an emergency message instructed personnel on the base to seek shelter while security forces investigated. Unverified social media reports described sirens at the nearby RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell and a bomb threat, but officials have not confirmed either claim.
Nick Timothy, the Member of Parliament for West Suffolk, said he had been in contact with base authorities following speculation about the alarm.
The incident came days after the U.S. Air Force moved at least 12 aircraft, including KC-135 refueling tankers and CV-22 Ospreys, out of RAF Mildenhall on November 9. The Wall Street Journal reported that the move followed a threat from Iran. U.S. and British authorities have not linked Friday's drone activity to Iran or to the Mildenhall relocation.
RAF Lakenheath is home to the U.S. Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing, its largest fighter operation in Europe. Jets from the base helped intercept Iranian missiles fired at Israel in April 2024, and its F-15E squadrons flew combat missions over Iran during this year's U.S. campaign.
