More than a dozen unsanctioned drones repeatedly swarmed a US Air Force base that is home to a nuclear bomber fleet — and were able to resist efforts to bring them down via jamming technology, according to military officials.
The restricted airspace of Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, was infiltrated by “multiple unauthorized drones” between March 9 and March 15, a base spokesperson told The Post.
The 22-acre installation located east of Shreveport, hosts a fleet of B-52 bombers which can carry out nuclear strikes with “worldwide precision,” according to the Air Force.
As an Air Force Global Strike Command base, Barksdale also plays a crucial role in the Air Force’s nuclear defense capabilities.
The first mysterious drone breach involved an “unmanned aerial system” that set off a shelter-in-place order and terror alert, ABC News reported.
Following incidents were reportedly more extensively — involving 12 to 15 long-range drones swarming the no-fly zone, according to an internal military briefing reviewed by the outlet.
Over the course of the week, BAFB Security Forces witnessed “multiple waves” of drones over “sensitive areas of the base,” ABC News reported.
The ominous devices appeared to be “testing security responses,” and they tried to enter and leave the base without being detected.
Officials noted that the incidents “pose a significant threat to public safety and national security.”
The invasions reportedly forced the base to shut down its runway for take-offs and landings, which put aircrafts already in flight at risk.
Drone activity occurred daily, except on March 13 and 14, according to ABC. The flights reportedly lasted about four hours each time and routes varied, and the devices used special signals that blocked the military’s attempts to stop them.
“Certainly, it seemed to be more than just your average drone enthusiast who just pushed it too far,” ABC News contributor Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, told the outlet.
“It looked like this was deliberate and intentional to see just how they would react.”
Flying drones over a military base is not only safety issue — it’s a criminal offense under federal law.
“We are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate these incursions. The security of our installation and the safety of our people are top priorities, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” a Barksdale spokesperson said.
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