Drones Penetrate Barksdale Air Force Base Restricted Airspace

Between March 9 and March 15, 2026, Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana experienced multiple waves of unauthorized drone incursions. Swarms of 12 to 15 custom-built drones operated for approximately four hours daily over sensitive areas, including the flight line. The drones utilized non-commercial signal characteristics and long-range control links that neutralized military jamming efforts, suggesting the operators possessed advanced technical knowledge and were testing security responses.

The incursions occurred shortly after the start of Operation Epic Fury, a U.S. military campaign against Iran. In response to the threats, the base issued a shelter-in-place order, triggered a terror alert, and shut down its runway for takeoffs and landings. The installation serves as a critical node for nuclear defense infrastructure and houses the B-52 Stratofortress bomber fleet.

Air Force Global Strike Command is currently investigating the incidents alongside the Louisiana State Police and other federal law enforcement agencies. General Gregory Guillot testified that the military is deploying counter-drone Fly-Away Kits to strategic installations to defeat such incursions, noting that additional kits are expected within the next month.