Hill Air Force Base officials have confirmed recent unmanned aerial system sightings in the vicinity of the installation, adding to a growing pattern of drone activity reported near military facilities across the United States. The sightings come as federal authorities investigate thousands of similar reports along the East Coast, where drone activities have affected operations at multiple military installations including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
Base spokesperson Kendahl Johnson confirmed the sightings while emphasizing that operations at Hill AFB remain unaffected. “All appropriate measures are being taken to safeguard personnel, assets and infrastructure,” Johnson stated, though specific details about the number of incidents or countermeasures were not disclosed, reports KSL.
The incidents near Hill AFB, which sits adjacent to critical civilian aviation infrastructure including Ogden Regional Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport’s corridors, highlight the growing challenges of protecting sensitive airspace. The base enforces strict drone restrictions, prohibiting all unauthorized unmanned aircraft within a 5-mile radius and requiring operations to remain below 300 feet during daylight hours only.
Local resident Kristen Brinkman reported observing approximately ten unidentified aerial objects near the base on Sunday evening, describing them as larger than typical hobby drones and equipped with intense lighting systems. The objects reportedly hovered with minimal noise before disappearing, exhibiting flight characteristics inconsistent with conventional aircraft.
At the national level, a joint statement from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, FAA, and Department of Defense revealed the scale of the ongoing investigation. Federal authorities have received over 5,000 drone sighting reports in recent weeks, generating approximately 100 investigative leads. Advanced detection technology and trained observers have been deployed to affected regions.
The investigation has determined that many sightings involve legitimate commercial and law enforcement operations, alongside some misidentified conventional aircraft and celestial objects. However, the volume and persistence of reports near military installations have prompted increased scrutiny. White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby addressed the situation, stating that no immediate public safety or national security risks have been identified.
These incidents reflect broader concerns about drone security and the challenges of protecting sensitive airspace. As Drone Technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, military installations face increasing pressure to balance security requirements with the growing commercial and recreational drone sector.
Base officials have requested that any suspicious unmanned aerial system activity be reported immediately to local law enforcement or Hill’s security forces. The installation’s proximity to civilian aviation corridors and its role in supporting medical evacuation and firefighting operations makes unauthorized drone activity particularly concerning for regional safety and security operations.
Photo courtesy of Kristen Brinkman.
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