The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base closed for four hours over the weekend after mysterious drones were spotted over its airspace.
Robert Purtiman with the 88th Wing said, as per WDTN, “We are taking all appropriate measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson and the residents. “You know, our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of, again, our base personnel facilities and assets.”
“To date, installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets,” he said.
The event marked the first time drones were spotted at the base.
After the drones were discovered, a Notice To Airman (NOTAM) was issued, The War Zone reported. The notice said, “HEAVY UAS ACTIVITY IN KFFO SURFACE AREA.”
The base is home to the Air Force Research Lab, the Air Force Materiel Command, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. It also houses the headquarters of the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group.
Drones have also been spotted over a U.S. airbase in Germany as well as a U.S. Navy weapons station in New Jersey.
Addressing the reported drone sightings across New Jersey, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said in a joint statement last week that they have “no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.”
“The FBI, DHS and our federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.”
