Drone sightings close Wright-Patterson airspace

Officials reported unmanned drones near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio over the weekend.  

Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing at the base, said that the base closed for approximately four hours, from Friday night to early Saturday morning, after drones entered the restricted airspace, WTDN reported. 

“We are taking all appropriate measures to safeguard Wright-Patterson and the residents, Purtiman said. “Our units continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to ensure the safety of, again, our base personnel facilities and assets.” 

This is the first time drones have been spotted on the base. No sightings have been reported since early Saturday, according to the Associated Press.  

Although the spotted drones were small and did not disrupt operations on the base, they have still raised security concerns. It is not clear if these sightings are connected to the potential car-sized flying drones recently reported in New Jersey and New York.  

Increased drone sightings in the last month have grown to be an increasing security concern, with New Jersey at the center of the conversation and majority of sightings.  

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said he received a briefing Sunday night about the drone sightings in the Northeast. Murphy wrote to President Biden asking for assistance from the federal government in the situation.  

“While I am sincerely grateful for your administration’s leadership in addressing this concerning issue, it has become apparent that more resources are needed to fully understand what is behind this activity,” Murphy wrote, adding that residents “deserve more concrete information.” 

The Hill is owned by Nexstar, which also owns WDTN.