More than a dozen unauthorized drones repeatedly entered restricted airspace over a U.S. Air Force base that houses part of the nation’s nuclear bomber fleet, raising security concerns and prompting an ongoing investigation, officials said.
The incidents occurred at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, between March 9 and March 15. A base spokesperson confirmed that “multiple unauthorized drones” were detected over sensitive areas during that period, The New York Post reported.
Barksdale is home to B-52 bombers capable of carrying out nuclear strikes and plays a key role in U.S. nuclear defense operations as part of Air Force Global Strike Command. The first incident triggered a shelter-in-place order and a heightened security alert after an unmanned aerial system entered restricted airspace, according to reports.
Subsequent activity escalated, with internal briefings indicating that between 12 and 15 long-range drones operated in coordinated waves over the base. Officials said the devices appeared to be testing security responses and maneuvering in ways designed to avoid detection.
Security forces reported repeated incursions over multiple days, with drones entering and exiting restricted zones. The activity forced temporary shutdowns of the base runway, creating potential risks for aircraft operations.
Officials said the drones used signals that interfered with counter-drone measures, including jamming technology, preventing efforts to disable them. The activity occurred daily except for March 13 and March 14, with each incident lasting several hours. Flight paths varied, further complicating response efforts.
“Certainly, it seemed to be more than just your average drone enthusiast who just pushed it too far,” former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Mick Mulroy said. “It looked like this was deliberate and intentional to see just how they would react.”
Military officials said the incursions pose a significant threat to public safety and national security. Unauthorized drone activity over military installations is a violation of federal law.
“We are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate these incursions,” a Barksdale spokesperson said. “The security of our installation and the safety of our people are top priorities, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” the spokesperson said. The investigation remains ongoing.