WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Airspace over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was closed for several hours because of drones that had crossed into the base’s restricted airspace.
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Airspace was blocked for around four hours late Friday night into early Saturday by ‘small unmanned aerial systems,’ Bob Purtiman, Chief of Public Affairs for the 88th Air Base Wing told News Center 7 Sunday.
“To date, installation leadership has determined none of the incursions impacted base residents, facilities, or assets,” Purtiman said.
Units are monitoring airspace for additional airspace incursions by drones, Purtiman said.
>>RELATED: Mystery drone sightings continue in New Jersey and across the U.S. Here’s what we know
Mysterious drone sightings, particularly in New Jersey, has been a topic of great discussion across the country as speculation and concern surrounds what they are and where they are coming from.
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Ryan Zmuda from Fairborn told News Center 7′s Malik Patterson on News Center 7 at 11 that he’s been following national reports about drone sightings closely.
“Obviously that’s a big concern for national security. People can just fly them around in unrestricted airspace,” Zmuda said. “If they’re shutting [the airspace] down, then it kind of makes you wonder, what are they worried about there?”
Base personnel and citizens traveling or working near the base are urged to contact local police or Wright-Patt security forces if they witness any suspicious activity, including small drones.
News Center 7 is reaching out to the Department of Defense and the Air Force for information on whether these drones could be connected to the drone sightings in other parts of the country.
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