Wright-Patterson AFB: Drone swarm triggers airspace shutdown
Security forces at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base observed multiple unmanned aerial systems entering restricted military airspace. The incursion prompted an immediate shutdown of the base's airspace and coordinated security sweeps across the installation.
Background
On the evening of December 13, 2024, patrols near the Hot Cargo Pads detected a small drone approximately six inches in size with four propellers and alternating red and green lights. Additional units reported formations of three to four quadcopters flying in diamond patterns. At 10:30 p.m., air traffic control issued a complete airspace closure for the base. Security personnel conducted extensive sweeps across Area A, Area B, and the perimeter but failed to locate operators or recover debris. The emergency response concluded approximately ten minutes later, though the incident highlighted significant vulnerabilities in base perimeter security against unmanned aerial threats.