Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to nuclear-capable B-52 bombers, detected multiple unauthorized drones operating in its airspace during the week of March 9, a base spokesperson confirmed.
Drone Activity and Security Response
The base official told Fox News Digital that flying a drone over a military installation is a federal criminal offense and a safety concern. Following the drone sightings, a shelter-in-place order was briefly issued on March 9 but was lifted shortly after, while drone activity persisted through the week.
Base officials are coordinating with federal and local law enforcement to investigate the incidents. The spokesperson emphasized the ongoing priority of securing the installation and safeguarding personnel through vigilant airspace monitoring.
Context and Expert Assessment
Barksdale Air Force Base encompasses 22,000 acres east of Shreveport, Louisiana, with an estimated population of 15,000 personnel. The drone detections occurred amid heightened security at U.S. Air Force bases during the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Mick Mulroy, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, told ABC News that the drone incursions appeared deliberate, likely probing the base’s response. He described the incidents as troubling and distinct from typical recreational drone activity.
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