Ohio Air Force base shut down due to unauthorized drones

We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.

As frustrations mount over the ongoing drone mystery in New Jersey, a military installation in Ohio temporarily shut down its airspace due to unauthorized drones.

Wright Patterson Air Force Base reportedly shut down for a few hours late Friday and audio of air traffic controllers released days later contained warnings about “heavy UAS movement” at the facility, one of the United States’ most critical Air Force bases.

“I can confirm small aerial systems were spotted over Wright Patterson between Friday night and Saturday morning,” base spokesman Bob Purtiman told The War Zone. “Today leaders have determined that they did not impact base residents, facilities, or assets. The Air Force is taking all appropriate measures to safeguard our installations and residents.”

(Video Credit: FOX19 NOW | Cincinnati)

“Our units are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets,” the spokesman said, adding that the drones “ranged in sizes and configurations.”

In the audio from Ohio, the controller is heard telling an aircraft identified as “MedFlight 8” to “use extreme caution for heavy UAS movement on the base,” using the acronym for “unmanned aircraft system.”

The base is “home to the Air Force Research Lab, Air Force Material Command, the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, the 445th Airlift Wing, and the host 88th Air Base Wing, among other base tenants,” according to the outlet.

The Air Force Materiel Command “conducts research, development, test and evaluation, and provides acquisition management services and logistics support necessary to keep Air Force weapon systems ready for war,” according to its website.

Last week, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and Defense Department (DoD) held a press conference to address the mounting concerns over drones in New Jersey.

“We know of no foreign involvement with respect to the sightings in the Northeast and we are vigilant in investigating this matter,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC’s “This Week.”

Senior Staff Writer — [email protected]
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.

Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.