Washington: A mysterious drone was detected near Barksdale Air Force Base on Monday, prompting US authorities to raise the security alert level at the installation, officials said.
The base, located in Louisiana, hosts the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, one of the United States Air Force’s key strategic bombers capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear payloads.
According to officials, the unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle was detected near the base on Monday morning, after which the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) level was raised to “Charlie,” indicating a potential security threat.
Authorities said the incident remains under investigation and it is not yet clear who operated the drone or where it originated from. Officials have not confirmed whether the unmanned aircraft was intercepted or recovered.
A spokesperson for Barksdale Air Force Base said flying an unauthorised drone over a military installation is a criminal offence under both state and federal laws in the United States.
The spokesperson warned that individuals involved in such activities could face significant fines and possible imprisonment.
The development comes amid heightened global tensions following military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, which have intensified security concerns around US military installations.
B-52 bombers stationed at the base are capable of flying approximately 8,800 miles without refuelling and can carry up to 70,000 pounds of weapons, including nuclear and conventional munitions.