An F-15 fighter jet roared off the runway at RAF Lakenheath at sunset on Jan. 7, 2026, as the U.S. Air Force confirmed a drone incursion over the base. The takeoff was captured in a photo showing the aircraft silhouetted against the orange sky.
Incident Overview
The Air Force announced on Nov. 13 that its personnel responded to suspected unauthorized drone activity above the Lakenheath military air base in Suffolk, England. A spokesperson said the incident did not affect any personnel, aircraft, or infrastructure.
The British Ministry of Defence said the situation was resolved and that it was coordinating with U.S. forces to assess the event. Details about the suspected drone remain unclear.
West Suffolk MP Nick Timothy confirmed he had been in touch with base authorities, who assured him the incident posed no threat to public safety. He urged the public to report any suspicious activity, posting on Facebook that heightened threat levels demanded vigilance.
The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story, which is still developing and will be updated. Authorities have not released further details at this time.
