A large number of unidentified drones were spotted over Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, prompting a lockdown earlier this month. The incursions occurred between March 9 and 15, 2026, with multiple waves of 12 to 15 drones detected in sensitive areas, including the flight line.
According to a confidential briefing document obtained by ABC News, the drones displayed non-commercial signal characteristics, long-range control links, and resistance to jamming. The document stated that the incursions posed a significant threat to public safety and national security, requiring the flight line to be shut down and putting manned aircraft at risk.
A shelter-in-place order was issued on March 9 and lifted later that day, but drone flights continued for nearly a week, lasting around four hours each day. Captain Hunter Rininger of the 2nd Bomb Wing confirmed the incident, calling it a criminal offense under federal law and stating that the Air Force is working with federal and local law enforcement to investigate.
Experts speculated that the drones were custom-built and required advanced knowledge of signal operations, suggesting deliberate intent to test base reactions. The incident follows recent sightings of unidentified drones over Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington D.C., where senior government officials reside, prompting a security review and White House meeting.
