In a disconcerting turn of events, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a critical cog in America's military machine, experienced a breach of its airspace over the past weekend.
This incident has once again raised eyebrows about the security measures in place at key U.S. defense establishments.
As reported by Gateway Pundit, unidentified drones were spotted hovering over the Ohio-based military base, leading to a temporary shutdown of its Class Delta airspace from late Friday night to early Saturday morning. The base, which houses the Air Force Research Lab, Air Force Material Command, and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, is a crucial component of the U.S. military operations. Its advanced research and intelligence undertakings make it an attractive target for espionage or other harmful activities.
On the night of December 13-14, 2024, the base was subjected to significant Unidentified Aerial System (UAS) activity, necessitating the closure of Class Delta airspace. Air traffic control issued warnings to aircraft, including a medical flight, instructing them to exercise extreme caution and maintain higher altitudes to steer clear of the drones.
However, the origin of these drones remains a mystery. Base spokesman Bob Purtiman stated, "I can confirm small aerial systems were spotted over Wright Patterson between Friday night and Saturday morning." He added that the base's leaders have determined that the drones did not pose a threat to base residents, facilities, or assets. "The Air Force is taking all appropriate measures to safeguard our installations and residents," Purtiman assured.
He further revealed that the drones varied in size and configuration, and that the base is working with local authorities to ensure the safety of its personnel, facilities, and assets.
A Notice To Airman (NOTAM) was issued detailing the temporary closure and highlighting the "heavy UAS activity" in the vicinity. The notice read, "WRIGHT PATTERSON CLASS D AIRSPACE CLOSED DUE TO SECURITY THREAT M1133/24 NOTAMN... CAUTION: USE EXTREME CAUTION; HEAVY UAS ACTIVITY IN KFFO SURFACE AREA."
During the drone incident, a radio exchange occurred between the Wright-Patterson AFB tower and a medical transport aircraft. The incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance and robust security measures at such critical defense installations. Despite the official stance that the drones were "not malicious," their unidentified origin and the potential for future breaches remain a concern.
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