Officials release details about drone seen near U.S. Air Force base in Ohio
Government officials have responded to the recent drone sightings near an Air Force base in Ohio on Monday, noting that the incidents appear unrelated to the unusual sightings in the Northeast. The drones were spotted near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County over the weekend, prompting the base to close its airspace for four hours on Saturday.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is described as the headquarters for a vast, worldwide logistics system, a world-class laboratory research function, and the foremost acquisition and development center in the U.S. Air Force. Robert Purtiman, Chief of Public Affairs of the 88th Air Base Wing, confirmed that officials were aware of the drones in a statement to Fox News.
Purtiman stated, “I can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of and over Wright-Patterson AFB between 13-14 December. To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets.” He also mentioned that the base is taking appropriate measures to safeguard its personnel, facilities, and assets.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Monday that the Pentagon does not believe the Ohio drones are connected to the other drone sightings across the country. He also clarified that the recent drone activity is unrelated to the drones seen near Langley Air Force Base last year.
While the U.S. Air Force does not discuss specific force protection measures for security reasons, they retain the right to protect their installations. Residents near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base were urged to contact local authorities or Security Forces personnel if they see anything suspicious, including drone activity.
The recent drone sightings in Ohio coincided with a conference call involving representatives from the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Security Council (NSC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to discuss the unusual drone sightings. Officials on the call downplayed concerns about the drones while investigations into their origins are ongoing.
Overall, the government is working diligently to address the drone sightings and ensure the safety of military installations and personnel. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious drone activity to authorities for further investigation.
