Small “unmanned aerial systems” were spotted above and near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Area A and Area B late Monday and early Tuesday, the base said Tuesday morning.
“Installation leaders have determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities or assets,” the 88th Air Base Wing said. “The Wright-Patterson AFB airspace was not affected by the incursions.”
Robert Purtiman, a spokesman for Wright Patterson, said Sunday that unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of the base late Friday night.
The base said Tuesday that the number of drones has fluctuated, and “they have ranged in sizes and configurations.”
“Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local law enforcement authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets,” the base said, going on to ask that people in the area call either local police or base security forces “if they see anything suspicious.”
A statement from the Federal Aviation Administration to the Dayton Daily News Monday said the government prohibits drones from “flying over designated national security sensitive facilities like military bases, national landmarks and certain critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants.”
The FAA, DOD (Department of Defense), FBI and law enforcement agencies “closely monitor the airspace for unauthorized operations and take appropriate action when any aircraft appears to pose a credible safety or security threat,” the FAA said.
Generally, it’s legal to fly a drone in most locations if you’re operating under 400 feet, but there are rules — including safety tests, keeping below 400 feet, keeping the drone in sight, avoiding all other aircraft, not causing a hazard to people or property, and avoiding restricted airspace, the FAA advises.
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