RAF Mildenhall drones prompt 'alarm' from community leaders

On Tuesday it was revealed that a 60-strong force of British troops has been drafted in to investigate mystery drones being flown over RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath, as well as RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, sparking a security threat.

Incidents have been reportedly taking place since Wednesday, November 20, and Ian Shipp, who represents Mildenhall Kingsway & Market on West Suffolk Council, has voiced his concern.

RAF Lakenheath (Image: Mike Page) "The reports of the drones is really alarming and causing a great deal of concern locally," he said.

"The potential for them to cause a serious incident if they collide with military aircraft is extremely high and life threatening.

"If this is some form of ludicrous protest or subversive military action it needs to be stopped immediately.

"I hope those responsible, who ever they may be are caught and dealt with very soon."

Ian Shipp (Image: WSC) According to an airspace map on the NATS (formerly National Air Traffic Services) website, unmanned aircraft flight is not permitted over RAF Mildenhall "unless permission has been granted by the relevant Air Traffic Service unit or aerodrome operator". 

Andy Neal, who represents Mildenhall Queensway on West Suffolk Council, said: "Because of both the UK and US supply of missiles to the Ukraine the immediate assumption is the drones are connected to Russia. That is a very scary thought that cannot be dismissed." 

He continued: "If we cast our minds back to non-hostile drones flying over Heathrow airport and the delays and disruption that caused this could hold a similar motivation.

"Living in Mildenhall has always held the risk one day the base would be a target but we live in the safe knowledge they will have the most up to date defence systems.

"If Russia had a destructive intention towards our local bases I doubt they would need to send a drone to first survey the base for its capability.

Andy Neal (Image: WSC) "My personal opinion is the drones are UK launched with no connection to Russia but the base will be prepared should that not be the case."

During a debate on UK Air and Missile Defences on Wednesday morning, Maria Eagle, minister for defence procurement and industry, reassured ministers that those responsible will be "shown the full force of the law" for their "illegal activities".

Maria Eagle (Image: UK Parliament) Ms Eagle said: "Protection of our personnel and bases is our highest priority. We employ multi-layered and credible force protection measures."

She continued: "The House will be aware that through the Civil Aviation Authority, aerodromes in the UK are protected under the Air Navigation Order 2016 by uncrewed air system flight restriction zones.

"We will be making sure that anybody we manage to catch engaging in such behaviour is shown the full force of the law for their illegal activities."

A drone in flight (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire) She added that, although this was all she could say at that time, the matter was being dealt with "fully". 

A spokesperson for the US military said on Tuesday: “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.

“Since November 20, there has been no impact to residents or infrastructure and they have not been identified as hostile.

“However, they are still continuously being monitored to ensure the safety and security of the installations.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.

“We are supporting the US Air Force response.”