Langley AFB UAP Incident (2024)
Langley Air Force Base experienced a significant and perplexing security challenge in December 2023, when it became the focal point of numerous drone incursions. These events were not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of mysterious drone activities over strategic US military installations. The drones, described as swarms due to their number and coordinated movements, raised immediate concerns regarding their origin and intent, given Langley’s proximity to critical military assets including the Naval Station Norfolk and its strategic position by the Chesapeake Bay.
Christopher K. Mellon emphasized the significance of recent aerial phenomena over US military sites in a tweet dated March 17, 2024. He stated that strange, unaccountable intrusions are not confined to Langley; they are a broader issue affecting other essential military bases and Navy ships. These incidents often involve swarms of unidentified drones, similar to those observed in Western Nebraska and Northeast Colorado in 2020, which continued for an extended period. Despite investigations, there is no known source and no public explanation for these perplexing occurrences, leaving a significant gap in understanding the security implications for critical national assets.
Mellon advocated for Congressional hearings to address these security breaches and has consistently called for a thorough examination of US air defense readiness in response to this escalating challenge.
The response to these incursions was multifaceted, involving various branches of the US government. Notably, a NASA WB-57 high-altitude jet was deployed to assist in the investigation, underscoring the seriousness with which these incidents were taken. The WB-57, known for its advanced surveillance capabilities, was part of a concerted effort to gather intelligence on the drones’ characteristics and potentially trace their origins.
Speculation around the capability to launch such sophisticated operations over US military bases has varied widely. Theories include the involvement of foreign state actors, given the complexity and audacity of penetrating well-defended airspace. However, the possibility of non-state actors and possibly a Non-Human Intelligence (NHI) possessing advanced drone technologies cannot be dismissed.
The discussions and investigations surrounding these incidents have been closely followed by military analysts and enthusiasts, with platforms like the Chris Lehto channel on YouTube providing detailed breakdowns and insights into the potential implications of these drone swarms. This has sparked a broader public debate on the evolving nature of aerial threats and the readiness of US military and security agencies to counteract such unconventional challenges.
General Gregory M. Guillot, the commander of NORAD, provided testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 14, 2024, shedding light on the unexpected volume of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) incursions at Langley Air Force Base and other secure areas within the United States.
Guillot expressed his astonishment at the frequency of these incursions, indicating that they surpassed what he had anticipated based on his prior military experience. These events at Langley AFB have been central to his 90-day assessment aimed at evaluating NORAD and Northcom’s responses to such emerging threats. Guillot underscored the challenges posed by these incidents, noting that the existing operational frameworks are insufficient to counter the advancing capabilities demonstrated by the UAS incursions.
In addressing these security concerns, General Guillot highlighted collaborations with various departments, including Homeland Security and Justice, particularly along the border regions, as well as the individual military services responsible for securing their respective bases. These partnerships are crucial in developing a cohesive strategy to defend against unauthorized UAS activities within the nation’s airspace. Guillot’s testimony reflects a broader concern within the defense community regarding the adaptability of current security measures to evolving threats, emphasizing the need for a more integrated and forward-looking approach to national defense infrastructure and policies.
