Multiple Drone Incursions at Barksdale AFB Spark Probe

Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, a critical hub for the U.S. Air Force's strategic bomber fleet, experienced multiple incursions by unauthorized drones over a week in early March 2026, prompting heightened security measures and an ongoing federal investigation.

The intrusions began on March 9, when security forces detected an initial unmanned aerial vehicle entering restricted airspace, leading to a shelter-in-place order and a full security alert for base personnel. Subsequent waves of 12 to 15 drones appeared daily through March 15, except for March 13 and 14, operating over sensitive areas including the flight line where B-52 Stratofortress bombers are stationed. Officials described the drones as displaying noncommercial signal characteristics, long-range control links, and resistance to standard electronic jamming efforts, which typically disrupt control signals or navigation systems. The aircraft maneuvered in coordinated patterns, entering and exiting the base in ways that suggested efforts to evade detection, before dispersing across key installation points.

A base spokesperson confirmed the detections, stating that the activity occurred during the week of March 9....