Why are drones flying near US airbases in Suffolk and Norfolk?
Matt Precey/BBC
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?’
Matt Precey/BBC
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’
Supplied
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’
Matt Precey/BBC
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 
Ian Howat
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’
Matt Precey/BBC
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”.
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