Why are drones flying near US airbases in Suffolk and Norfolk?

Norfolk and Suffolk airbases in the US have been dealing with multiple drone incursions, sparking concerns among residents. The incidents at RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath, and RAF Feltwell have raised questions about security measures and why the drones were allowed to fly over the bases. Residents have reported sightings of drones, including brightly lit vehicles hovering above their homes and the bases. The government has promised to pursue those responsible with the “full force of the law.” The presence of drones near HMS Queen Elizabeth and RAF Fairford has also been noted. Local residents, including Casseem Campbell, Chrystal Mason, and Johnny Whitfield, have shared their experiences and concerns about the drone activity in the area. Increased police and military presence has been reported in response to these incidents. Bu içerikte, gri renkli bir uçak pistte dinlenirken, arkasında iki uçak hangarı görülmektedir. BBC tarafından yapılan röportajlarda Beck Row’daki sakinler, bölgede artan askeri faaliyetlerden ve gökyüzünde artan uçak sayısından bahsetmektedir. Ayrıca, ABD Hava Kuvvetleri Özel Soruşturma Ofisi ajanlarının Suffolk bölgesinde olduğu ve yerel halkla görüştüğüne dair kanıtlar olduğu belirtilmektedir. Suffolk merkezli askeri havacılık meraklısı Roger Smith, ABD Hava Kuvvetleri pilotlarının son günlerde daha güvenli iletişim yöntemlerine döndüğünü belirtmiştir. Bölgedeki diğer uçak spotter topluluğu üyelerinden biri de bir ABD Hava Kuvvetleri KC-46A Pegasus hava yakıt ikmal uçağının RAF Mildenhall’a yaklaştığı sırada drone faaliyetleri nedeniyle Glasgow Prestwick Havaalanı’na yönlendirildiğini iddia etmiştir. Glasgow Prestwick Havaalanı veya ABD Hava Kuvvetleri sözcüleri iddialar hakkında yorum yapmamışlardır. Savunma kaynaklarına göre, ihlallerden sorumlu olanın “devlet aktörü” olduğu şüphesi doğmuştur. Şu ana kadar ne ABD ne de İngiltere yetkilileri sorumlu olabilecek kişi veya kurumlar hakkında yorum yapmamışlardır. Savunma Bakanı Lord Coaker, Perşembe günü Lordlar Kamarası’nda yaptığı açıklamada, “Savunma Bakanlığı, bu raporların farkında ve son olaylara yanıt vermek için ABD ziyaret eden kuvvetler, İçişleri Bakanlığı polis kuvvetleri ve diğer ortaklarla yakın çalışıyor” demiştir. Bakan, “Herhangi bir güvenlik sorununu ciddiye alıyoruz ve Savunma Bakanlığı tesislerinde sıkı önlemler alıyoruz. Buna karşı drone yetenekleri de dahildir.” demiştir. Meclise şunları söylemiştir: “Bu askeri tesislerin yakınında veya içinde dronların uçurulması yasaktır ve insanların bunun farkında olması gerektiğini bilmeleri gerekir.” “Bu halen canlı bir suç soruşturmasıdır.” Önceki açıklamada, üsleri alan Savunma Bakanlığı, “Tehditleri ciddiye alıyor ve savunma tesislerinde sıkı önlemler alıyoruz.” demiştir. ABD Hava Kuvvetleri Avrupa’da ise, “Bugüne kadar, kurulum liderlerinin ihlallerin üs sakinlerini, tesisleri veya varlıkları etkilemediğine karar verdikleri belirtilmektedir. “Hava Kuvvetleri, söz konusu tesisleri ve sakinlerini korumak için tüm uygun önlemleri almaktadır.” şeklinde açıklamada bulunmuştur. Bu içerikte, içerik açıklaması oluşturulması istenmektedir. İçeriğin ne hakkında olduğu, hangi konuları ele aldığı ve okuyuculara ne tür bilgiler sağladığı gibi detaylar belirtilerek açıklama yapılmalıdır. Ayrıca içeriğin amacı ve hedef kitlesi de açıklamaya dahil edilmelidir. Bu şekilde okuyucular, içeriğin ne tür bilgiler içerdiği hakkında daha net bir fikir edinebilirler.
[ad 1]

#drones #flying #airbases #Suffolk #Norfolk
Kaynak: www.bbc.com

Casseem Campbell questioned why more was not being done to tackle the drones

Matt Precey/BBC Casseem Campbell looks at the camera with no expression on his face. He is wearing black glasses and a black coat. A road with a blue car parked behind him can be seen. — Casseem Campbell questioned why more was not being done to tackle the drones

Airspace around US airbases in Norfolk and Suffolk has been under scrutiny following multiple recent drone incursions. Those responsible for the aircraft have yet to be found and nearby residents have questioned how and why the incidents have been allowed to happen.

Drone incursions were initially reported at three US airbases – RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk – between 20 and 22 November, and the aircraft has since reappeared.

In the village of Beck Row, Suffolk, which is situated next to RAF Mildenhall, residents reported brightly lit aerial vehicles hovering above their houses and over the base itself.

‘Why let them fly over?’

The government said those behind the drone incursions would be shown the “full force of the law”

Matt Precey/BBC A close up of a sign on a silver fence that reads "No drone zone", with an image of a drone with a red circle cross. An airfield can be seen behind the fence. — The government said those behind the drone incursions would be shown the “full force of the law”

Casseem Campell, 28, said he had seen objects above his house in Beck Row.

He described seeing a triangle-shaped aerial vehicle, which was “a grey, dark colour”, in one of two evening sightings of drones he had made in the past week.

“They were really noisy and had lights. They looked official to be honest,” he added.

“If they are a threat, why aren’t they being shot down? Why let them fly over if they’re sinister?”

It has since emerged that a drone came within 273.40 yards (250m) of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, as it entered the Port of Hamburg on 22 November.

RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where US B-52 bombers had recently deployed, also reported a recent sighting.

British troops have been deployed to assist US efforts to track down those responsible.

‘Higher police presence’

Chrystal Mason said she had seen two drones in the past week in Beck Row in Suffolk

Supplied A selfie of Chrystal Mason, who has long dark hair and brown eyes. She is standing in front of a flowery wallpaper. — Chrystal Mason said she had seen two drones in the past week in Beck Row in Suffolk

Chrystal Mason, 28, said she had seen two drones in the past week in Beck Row.

The step-daughter of a RAF pilot, she described an orange ball in the sky at night and increased activity at the US airbase.

“In the last 10 days I have seen military jeeps around the village. There has been a much higher police presence than usual – military and UK police,” she said.

Mrs Mason also described what she believed was a drone being intercepted, though the BBC has not been able to verify this.

“There was a big orange light in the sky and all of a sudden it was gone. I heard people shouting ‘wow’,” the mother-of-one added.

‘I’ve seen drones three or four times’

Johnny Whitfield explained the drones were very large with bright lights

Matt Precey/BBC Johnny Whitfield smiles at the camera with black glasses that rest on his head. He is standing on a residential street which is blurred behind him. — Johnny Whitfield explained the drones were very large with bright lights

Johnny Whitfield, who also lives in Beck Row, described seeing “lots of activity”.

“I’ve seen the drones three or four times,” he said, before confirming the sightings had taken place at night in the past week.

He also described the flying objects being lit up and hovering over the airbase, although he said he could not detect a noise, while he said the objects were large.

“All you see is light, but it’s a big, big light,” he added.

He said he felt the US military was being reticent about what was going on.

“You don’t know if they’re foreign or local. [The US Air Force] don’t give out much information.

“You get more information off Facebook than the base.”

Plane diverted

A Pegasus tanker aircraft was reportedly diverted away from RAF Mildenhall due to the drone activity

Ian Howat A USAF KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft pictured at Prestwick Airport. The grey aircraft rests on tarmac with two aircraft hangers pictured behind it. — A Pegasus tanker aircraft was reportedly diverted away from RAF Mildenhall due to the drone activity

All the residents of Beck Row that the BBC spoke to described increased military activity in the area with an apparent uptick of planes in the skies.

The BBC has also seen evidence that agents from the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations have been in the Suffolk area and have spoken to local people about what they have seen.

Roger Smith, a Suffolk-based military aviation enthusiast, told the BBC that he believed the US Air Force pilots had reverted to more secure communication methods in recent days.

“They’re now using an encrypted data link instead of radios when speaking to the ground,” he said.

This was supported by another member of the local aircraft spotter community who also claimed a US Air Force KC-46A Pegasus air refuelling aircraft was diverted to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland as it approached RAF Mildenhall because of drone activity.

Neither the Glasgow Prestwick Airport or the US Air Force would comment on the claims.

‘Robust measures’

A live criminal investigation into the incidents are under way

Matt Precey/BBC Three large signs sit on a fence warning people that the area is a no drone zone and there is a prohibited space behind the fence. An airbase sits behind the fence and several small buildings are seen in the distance. — A live criminal investigation into the incidents are under way

Defence sources have told the BBC that suspicion had fallen on a “state actor” being responsible for the incursions.

So far neither the US or UK authorities would be drawn on who might be responsible.

Defence minister Lord Coaker told the House of Lords on Thursday: “The Ministry of Defence is aware of these reports and working closely with the US visiting forces, Home Office police forces and other partners to respond to recent events.

“We take any safety issue seriously and maintain robust measures at Ministry of Defence sites. This includes counter-drone capabilities.”

The minister told Parliament: “It is illegal for drones to be flown or within the vicinity of these military sites and people should be aware of that.”

“This remains a live criminal investigation.”

Previously the Ministry of Defence, which owns the bases, said: “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.”

The US Air Force in Europe said: “To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets.

“The Air Force is taking all appropriate measures to safeguard the aforementioned installations and their residents”.

Why are drones flying near US airbases in Suffolk and Norfolk?

Yorum Yap