Unexplained drone activities have sparked significant concerns at major U.S. military facilities, including Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
According to Western Journal, a series of drone incursions at critical military sites has left defense officials scrambling for answers, with the drones' origins and purposes yet undetermined.
Beginning late last year, multiple drones appeared above Langley Air Force Base for 17 nights in a row. These incursions were characterized by unusual drone characteristics.
Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly described them as being approximately 20 feet in length and capable of exceeding speeds of 100 miles per hour, flying at altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 feet.
After departing Langley, the drones made their way towards Naval Station Norfolk, escalating concerns. The situation was reported to the Biden administration, yet no countermeasures were enacted due to legal constraints preventing the military from taking down drones unless they pose an immediate threat.
The Langley episode was notably distinct from prior drone-related incidents at military bases, according to Gen. Glen VanHerck. Despite coordinated efforts by police, Navy, and Coast Guard assets, capturing these drones proved elusive.
The final recorded sighting at Langley occurred on December 23, leaving military personnel puzzled by their enigmatic origins. Notably, these activities did not remain isolated to Virginia. Recently, drones have been noted near Edwards Air Force Base in California and at the highly secure Nevada National Security Site near Las Vegas.
In response, Gen. Gregory Guillot, who assumed command of U.S. Northern Command, initiated a 90-day assessment prioritizing the evolving counter-uncrewed aircraft systems strategy.
He expressed surprise at the volume of drone incursions, citing his experience at U.S. Central Command, where threats of this nature were managed differently.
The occurrences over Langley have been pivotal in shaping Gen. Guillot's ongoing assessment. He stated, “As part of my 90-day assessment, … to tell the truth, the counter-UAS [uncrewed aircraft systems] mission has dominated that so far in the first month.” This focus underscores the urgency and complexity of the issue facing U.S. military installations.
Tom Karako, an expert on missile defense, highlighted the pressing nature of the situation, noting that it is a challenge that spans various regions rather than being confined to a particular area.
A senior defense official confirmed that drone flights near military bases are a regular phenomenon, occurring several times weekly across different locations. “You can only report what you see, and so that’s part of the challenge,” they noted, indicating the inherent difficulties in monitoring and responding to these threats.
These unpredictable incursions emphasize a need for enhanced strategies to monitor and manage aerial threats more effectively. The relatively random distribution of these events nationwide contributes to the complexity of the defense response.
Efforts to discern the intent and origin of these drones have yet to yield actionable results, indicating a glaring gap in current counter-drone capabilities. As the military continues to adapt to these evolving threats, the challenge remains one of both technological and strategic nature.
The persistent nature of these drone incursions underscores a growing security concern for U.S. military installations. The apparent lack of a centralized regional focus for these events only amplifies the difficulty in addressing the issue comprehensively and efficiently.
