Responses needed for drone incursions over US bases

 DC Daily Journal:

...

A group of House Republicans, led by the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, has launched an inquiry into the increasing incidents of unauthorized drone incursions over U.S. military bases.

On Thursday, the lawmakers sent letters to the Departments of Defense (DoD), Transportation (DOT), and Justice (DOJ), requesting detailed documentation to evaluate the government’s response to this growing national security concern.

The letters highlight 350 reported drone incursions across more than 100 U.S. military installations in 2024 alone, signaling an urgent need for improved detection and mitigation strategies.

The Republicans are pressing for a comprehensive review of current policies, citing cases like the December 2023 incident where drones repeatedly violated restricted airspace above Langley Air Force Base for over two weeks.

The lawmakers argue that existing protocols, which require base commanders to confirm “hostile intent” before acting, are outdated and inadequate for addressing the rapid and often ambiguous nature of drone threats.

The letters criticize the lack of cohesive coordination among federal agencies, including the DoD, DOJ, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and local law enforcement, describing their efforts as “improvised and bureaucratically delayed.”

This fragmented approach, the lawmakers warn, creates vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit. To address these gaps, the subcommittee has requested documents by July 10, including interagency policies on drone detection, incident reports since January 2022, and plans for a joint federal-state-local task force to enhance counter-drone efforts.

The inquiry also seeks internal reviews of legal frameworks governing drone responses and any recommendations for reform.
...

While many drones are for spying, others have lethal capabilities that require defensive measures.  The US needs the ability to take down both types of drones in order to protect its bases and personnel.

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