Rogue drone pilots could face life in prison amid crackdown to protect spy bases
ROGUE drone pilots could face life in prison after the Government triggered emergency powers to protect US bases.
The crackdown bans drones at a dozen sites including air fields and spy bases “for reasons of national security”.
It follows a spate of unexplained drone sightings at four US Air Force bases – including RAF Lakenehaeath, Suffolk, and RAF Fairford, Glos, which are linked to nuclear weapons.
SAS troops, MI5 spies and specialist anti-drone squads swooped in to help catch the culprits last month amid fears it was Russian backed sabotage.
But no one has been arrested.
And it is unclear of MoD Police, who are leading the investigation, have recovered any of the drones.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh slapped exclusion zones over 11 military sites, include three working airfields, a massive ammunition dump and eight bases linked to espionage and missile early warning systems on Monday.
A source said the move lets the MoD use national security powers to investigate and prosecute culprits.
Sabotage for a foreign power carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The Civil Aviation Authority said: “The Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it is necessary to introduce Restriction of Flying Regulations for unmanned aircraft under Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 for reasons of National Security.”
It bans drones from flying within two nautical miles of designated bases unless they are over specified altitudes, ranging from 2200 to 3000 feet.
The sites include RAF Okahangar, Hants, home to troops from the US Space Force and RAF Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire, which hosts 37 giant radomes used by the CIA and GCHQ spies.
RAF Alconbury and RAF Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, and RAF Croughton, Northants, all host spies from the US Joint Intelligence Analysis Centre.
RAF Welford, Berkshire, is reportedly home to the second largest conventional munitions store in Europe.
RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, is America’s largest combat air base in Europe and is due to host nuclear weapons.
RAF Fairford, Glos, is used by B-52 strategic bombers to land, refuel and rearm on missions over Europe.
An MOD spokesperson said: “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.”