Authorities temporarily restricted airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a key U.S. military installation, for nearly four hours late Friday and early Saturday following reports of drone activity. The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, took precautions to monitor the situation, according to Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing.
The restricted airspace was imposed after sightings of “small unmanned aerial systems” (UAS), Purtiman told local news outlet WHIO. However, he clarified that the drones did not impact the base’s facilities, assets, or residents.
The incident was first reported by The War Zone, which shared audio from Wright-Patterson’s air traffic control tower. In the recording, a controller warns an aircraft, identified as “MedFlight 8,” about heavy drone activity and advises extreme caution. The base’s Class D airspace, typically covering an area around the airport up to 2,500 feet, was closed during the event.
This episode adds to a growing list of mysterious drone sightings near sensitive military sites. Similar incursions have been reported near Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, as well as at critical infrastructure sites like reservoirs. Overseas, British air bases used by the U.S. Air Force also reported drone activity in November. Investigations into these incidents are ongoing, with officials emphasizing that no security threats have been identified thus far.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base plays a crucial role in U.S. defense. It houses key commands, including the Air Force Research Lab, Air Force Materiel Command, and the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, all of which focus on developing and protecting advanced technologies. The base also hosts the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group, as well as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, which preserves historic aircraft and artifacts.
Spanning 8,000 acres and employing over 38,000 personnel, Wright-Patterson is not only one of the largest Air Force bases globally but also Ohio’s largest single-site employer. The base’s historical significance includes hosting the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords that ended the Bosnian War.
As drone activity continues to attract attention, officials urge the public to report any suspicious sightings to local law enforcement. Former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Tom Adams noted that increased media coverage might be fueling copycat behavior. Similarly, Rob D’Amico, the former chief of the FBI’s counter-drone unit, highlighted the confusion caused by misidentified objects and gaps in airspace security.
“People are flying drones either to cause chaos or to investigate the situation themselves,” D’Amico explained, urging greater transparency in handling such incidents. The Department of Homeland Security and local agencies are actively investigating to determine the nature and origins of these aircraft.