Drone activity forced the temporary closure of airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Ohio for some four hours late Friday and early Saturday, CNN reports.
The closure, first reported by The War Zone, impacted one of the US Air Force’s most critical bases, home to vital research, development, and intelligence operations.
Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing at WPAFB, stated that authorities monitored the drone situation before reopening the airspace. The base, located about five miles outside Dayton, is a sprawling 8,000-acre facility employing over 38,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel – making it the largest single-site employer in Ohio.
This incident follows a recent string of mysterious drone sightings, particularly in the Northeast, near other military installations like Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, and critical infrastructure such as reservoirs. Similar incidents have also been reported overseas, with British air bases used by the US Air Force experiencing drone incursions in November.
While officials have emphasized that there is no evidence suggesting a direct security threat, the unexplained drone activity near sensitive military sites and critical infrastructure is raising concerns. WPAFB houses several key commands, including the Air Force Research Lab (focused on countering technological threats), Air Force Materiel Command (responsible for weapon systems readiness), and the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group. The base is also home to the National Museum of the US Air Force, which boasts significant historical aircraft.
The Department of Homeland Security and local law enforcement are investigating the drone sightings, working to determine the type of aircraft involved and the motives behind the activity.
