British troops brought in to track down drone pilots behind US airbase incursion
British troops have been drafted in to help the US Air Force find out who is responsible for flying drones over several bases in England.
A small number of drones were spotted overnight flying over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk as well as RAF Feltwell in Norfolk.
Sources told the PA news agency around 60 troops had been deployed to help the USAF's investigation into the incident, with counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) defence usually carried out by the RAF Regiment.
The USAF said the number of sightings "fluctuated and varied between the bases", although the drones had not been identified as hostile.
The latest drone incursion comes days after a small number of unmanned aerial systems were spotted near the three bases last week.
UK authorities are working to ensure the safety of the sites.
A spokesperson for the USAF in Europe said: "Since November 20 there has been no impact to residents or infrastructure and they have not been identified as hostile.
"However, they are still continuously being monitored to ensure the safety and security of the installations."
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence confirmed the UK was supporting the US Air Force's response.
"We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites," he said.
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