A drone sighting at one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest and most strategic airports earlier this month was more widespread and potentially more dangerous than initially reported, according to a confidential internal briefing document reviewed by ABC News.
Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana said it received a shelter-in-place order on March 9 after “receiving reports of unmanned aerial systems operating over the base.”
The sighting raised concerns because Barksdale operates long-range B-52 bombers and plays a key role in command and control of the Air Force’s nuclear defense capabilities.
Shelter-in-place orders were lifted later that day, but unauthorized drone flights continued for nearly a week.
“Barksdale Air Force Base detected multiple unauthorized drones operating in our airspace during the week of March 9,” Capt. Hunter Ringer of the 2nd Bomb Wing said in a statement provided to ABC News. Additional drone intrusions have not been previously reported.
According to the classified March 15 briefing document, drones were seen entering and exiting the base in waves, in a manner that may indicate an attempt to “avoid detection of the operator.” Lights on the drone indicated the operator “may be testing the base’s security response.”
“Between March 9 and March 15, 2026, BAFB security forces observed multiple waves of 12 to 15 drones operating over sensitive areas of the facility, including flight routes, with the aircraft exhibiting non-commercial signal characteristics, remote control links, and anti-jamming capabilities,” the document states. “After arriving at multiple locations throughout the facility, the drones dispersed to sensitive locations on the base.”
According to the document, no drone activity was detected on March 13 and 14, and it is unclear whether there has been drone activity since.
The flights lasted about four hours each day, with the drones using different entry routes and deliberately maneuvering within restricted airspace.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images – Photo: US uses British military bases to launch defensive strikes against Iran
“Certainly it seems like it’s not just the average drone enthusiast who’s pushing it too far,” said Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor and former deputy assistant secretary of defense. “It looks like it was intentional to see how they would react.”
The brief included establishing that the drones were different from the off-the-shelf drones that typical consumers can purchase. They appear to be custom made and require “advanced knowledge” of signal manipulation.
Analysts said with “confidence” that they expect unauthorized drones to continue operating in and around Barksdale Air Force Base in the near future.
“BAFB’s drone intrusions pose a significant threat to public safety and national security because they require the closure of air routes while also putting manned aircraft already flying in the area at risk,” the document states.
The FAA referred ABC News to the military for comment. Louisiana State Police are also assisting in the investigation but declined to comment.
“Flying drones over military installations is not only a security issue, it is also a criminal offense under federal law. We are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate these intrusions. The security of our installations and the safety of our people is a top priority, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” Capt. Lininger’s statement said.
