Ohio airbase briefly closes airspace after drone activity detected
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Wright-Patterson Air Base's closure comes amid a string of drone-related disruptions along the East Coast.
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The 88th Air Base Wing headquarters is located in Building 10 on Area A, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on May 17, 2022. (US Air Force)
Business Insider reported on Tuesday that a US military base in Ohio briefly closed its airspace over the weekend after small drones were spotted in the area, marking a growing issue for military and civilian operations alike.
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a key installation for the US military, halted operations as drone activity interfered with airspace safety.
Wright-Patterson, which hosts the Air Force Research Laboratory, the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing, and the 445th Airlift Wing, detected small drone activity on Friday.
An Air Force spokesperson confirmed that the airfield management team closed the airspace into early Saturday over "aviation safety concerns."
"To date, installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets," Bob Purtiman, the chief of public affairs for Wright-Patterson, told Business Insider.
"We are taking all appropriate measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson and its residents. Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities, and assets," he added.
The incident follows a trend of increased drone sightings near military installations across the US. In the past few weeks, confirmed drone activity has been reported near Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, as well as other critical infrastructure and Coast Guard operations.
A Joint Staff spokesperson acknowledged the issue, saying, "We've had to deal with drone incursions over our bases for quite a time now."
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Growing National Security Concerns
While the Department of Defense has not expressed immediate alarm, officials have described the drone activity as "irresponsible."
Mark Cancian, a defense expert and retired US Marine Corps colonel, explained the national security implications:
"This has become a huge problem for both military and civilian airfields and will get worse as drone usage proliferates further. It certainly has national security implications as many drones fly over sensitive military facilities like Wright-Patterson."
Cancian further emphasized the dual risks posed by drones, which are readily available to hobbyists and malign actors alike.
"For military airfields, the greater concern is espionage and improper disclosure of sensitive information, but safety and disruption of operations are also important," he said.
Limits on Military Action
The Pentagon's ability to respond to domestic drone incursions is limited compared to its overseas bases.
Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder noted that commanders are authorized to act only if drones pose a "clear and present danger," and said, "If a determination is made that unauthorized drones are conducting any malign or malicious activity, commanders are authorized to take appropriate action to mitigate and counter these unmanned systems."
Officials from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security reiterated on Saturday that they, too, are constrained in their responses, calling for new legislation to expand counter-drone authority.
"The challenge for airspace management is how to deter or defeat such incursions without endangering the surrounding civilian communities or legitimate air traffic," Cancian said. "That rules out everything kinetic."
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Broader Drone Trend
Wright-Patterson's closure comes amid a string of drone-related disruptions along the East Coast.
Recent drone sightings caused runway shutdowns at a New York airport and a "hazardous drone operation" near Boston's airport. Overseas, drones have been reported near American military operations in Germany, the UK, and Virginia.
Cancian suggested solutions may lie in emerging technologies, "Electronic interference or, in extremis, some laser system might be the solution.
Those are just now being fielded in the military. It would be years before they are widely available to military and civilian facilities."
