Recent drone sightings over military bases across the United States have renewed longstanding concerns about the nation’s ability to handle unauthorized incursions, particularly those that may pose a potential national security threat. As technological advancements continue to outpace governmental responses, the U.S. faces a troubling gap in its national security policy regarding unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones.
One of the most alarming recent incidents occurred at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, where a series of mysterious drone swarms were spotted in 2023. This, along with the infamous Chinese spy balloon that traversed the U.S. in 2023, has intensified concerns about the lack of a unified governmental response to aerial threats. General Glen VanHerck, the recently retired head of U.S. Northern Command and NORAD, expressed frustration at the disjointed responses from various agencies, saying, “We’re one year past Langley drone incursions and almost two years past the PRC spy balloon. Why don’t we have a single [point of contact] who is responsible for coordination across all organizations in the government to address this? Instead, everybody’s pointing their fingers at each other saying it’s not our responsibility” (CNN).
In the wake of these incidents, the problem has continued to worsen, as drones have been spotted over various military bases, including Camp Pendleton in California and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. These occurrences, though often downplayed by officials, underscore a serious vulnerability within U.S. defense infrastructure. “This is a problem that has been brewing for over a decade, and we have basically failed to address it,” says Brigadier General Rob Spalding (Ret.), a former chief China strategist for the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The purpose of these drones remains unclear; they could be collecting intelligence, testing base defenses, or even simply the result of hobbyists flying drones too close to restricted areas. However, the implications of such incursions cannot be ignored, as the U.S. may be facing a combination of espionage, technological advancement, and growing international tension, particularly with China.
In the current climate, the U.S. faces two critical issues: the lack of a cohesive counter-drone policy and the absence of a clear chain of command to respond to such incidents. Despite numerous sightings, government agencies seem to be unable to keep pace with the evolution of drone technology. A Senate aide familiar with discussions on drone defense explained, “If it’s not strictly DOD then it must be DHS, but we just kind of go ‘round and ‘round” (CNN). This bureaucratic disarray prevents a timely, coordinated response to potential threats.
The need for a more unified response is echoed by Senator Jack Reed, who, along with Senator Roger Wicker, has raised alarms in a Washington Post op-ed, stating that the U.S. “lacks adequate drone detection capability” and “agencies lack clear lines of authority about which agency is responsible for stopping these incursions.” This indecisiveness is compounded by the difficulties in determining the origin of a drone and its intent once it has entered U.S. airspace. As one senior military official noted, “If the drone enters the airspace and subsequently leaves, determining where it originated from and what it was doing can be difficult” (CNN).
The drone incursions highlight a significant shift in the nature of modern warfare. Historically, the U.S. military has focused its efforts on foreign threats, particularly in regions like the South China Sea, Taiwan, or Eastern Europe. However, the emergence of cyber and information warfare, along with the increasing use of drones for surveillance and intelligence gathering, suggests that the fight is no longer confined to distant shores.
As General VanHerck pointed out, “We have a perception that the fight will occur elsewhere… It’s happening right now — in the cyber domain or information space — every single day here” (CNN). This shift in threat perception has not yet been adequately reflected in U.S. policy. The failure to prioritize the defense against emerging threats like drones at home represents a strategic blind spot that could leave the nation vulnerable to foreign adversaries or even domestic actors seeking to exploit this gap.
The challenge is further compounded by the legal and regulatory restrictions on intelligence gathering within U.S. borders. While military installations have the authority to protect themselves, they are often limited by laws when it comes to identifying or intercepting drones. The need for a coordinated legislative solution is becoming increasingly urgent, as officials struggle to deal with the implications of drone incursions within U.S. territory.
In a joint statement released this month, the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Aviation Administration urged Congress to enact counter-UAS legislation. This legislation would “extend and expand existing counter-drone authorities to identify and mitigate any threat that may emerge” (CNN). As Brigadier General Spalding remarked, the situation will not improve unless the U.S. government raises the alarm at a higher level, acknowledging the political repercussions and necessary reforms that will follow.
The drone incursions over U.S. military bases serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by rapidly advancing technology in a complex global security environment. The failure to develop a clear, coordinated response at the federal level is a growing national security issue that demands immediate attention. As military officials and lawmakers continue to call for action, it is clear that the U.S. must adapt to this new reality, rethinking its approach to defense and national security in the age of drones and technological warfare.
Until there is a unified and decisive policy, these threats will continue to pose risks not only to military installations but to the broader security of the nation.
