HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah, Dec. 16, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Hill Air Force Base confirmed Monday that it has spotted drones recently near its facility.
That confirmation comes in the wake of drones spotted over communities in New Jersey and surrounding states, and near Ohio’s Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas told ABC News on Sunday that “there’s no question that people are seeing drones,” adding that some East Coast sightings could have been duplicate reports or manned aircrafts.
Hill did not confirm the number of its sightings.
“We can confirm that unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of Hill AFB recently,” a provided statement says.
“To date, unmanned aerial systems have not impacted Hill AFB operations and all appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard Hill AFB personnel, assets, and infrastructure.
“We continue to monitor the airspace and are working with local authorities to track the unmanned aerial systems. To safeguard operational security, we do not discuss specific force protection measures, however we retain the right to protect our installations.
“We request that individuals in the area contact local police or Hill AFB Security Forces if they see anything suspicious, to include unmanned aerial system activity over Hill AFB.”
In a Dec. 10 news release, Hill AFB officials noted that “unidentified drone swarms have recently been observed over several U.S. military bases. Drones are increasingly popular in personal, professional and warfare applications but can only be flown off base.
“The use of personal drones on base poses a significant hazard to aircraft. For those interested in flying their drones outside the base, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides extensive resources to help you fly legally and safely.”
The statement advised drone users to review “essential information on drone registration, flight restrictions and best practices by visiting www.faa.gov/uas.
“The FAA offers a smartphone app called ‘B4UFLY,’ which provides real-time airspace information and advisories to help you make informed decisions before taking flight. Additionally, any drone activity within 5 miles of the base perimeter should be coordinated with the 75th Operations Support Squadron by calling 801-777-1861,” the Hill statement says.
See more guidelines here.
“Remember that unauthorized and unidentified drones can pose a threat to our base’s security and privacy.”
