Mysterious drones swarmed US Air Force base home to nuclear bombers



More than a dozen unsanctioned drones repeatedly swarmed a US Air Force base that is home to a nuclear bomber fleet — and were able to resist efforts to bring them down via jamming technology, according to military officials.

The restricted airspace of Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, was infiltrated by “multiple unauthorized drones” between March 9 and March 15, a base spokesperson told The Post.

The 22-acre installation located east of Shreveport, hosts a fleet of B-52 bombers which can carry out nuclear strikes with “worldwide precision,” according to the Air Force.

As an Air Force Global Strike Command base, Barksdale also plays a crucial role in the Air Force’s nuclear defense capabilities.

The breaches occurred at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. Getty Images

The first mysterious drone breach involved an “unmanned aerial system” that set off a shelter-in-place order and terror alert, ABC News reported.

Following incidents were reportedly more extensively — involving 12 to 15 long-range drones swarming the no-fly zone, according to an internal military briefing reviewed by the outlet.

Over the course of the week, BAFB Security Forces witnessed “multiple waves” of drones over “sensitive areas of the base,” ABC News reported.

The ominous devices appeared to be “testing security responses,” and they tried to enter and leave the base without being detected.

The base is homes to a fleet of nuclear-capable B-52 bombers. AFP via Getty Images

Officials noted that the incidents “pose a significant threat to public safety and national security.”

The invasions reportedly forced the base to shut down its runway for take-offs and landings, which put aircrafts already in flight at risk.

Drone activity occurred daily, except on March 13 and 14, according to ABC. The flights reportedly lasted about four hours each time and routes varied, and the devices used special signals that blocked the military’s attempts to stop them.

“Certainly, it seemed to be more than just your average drone enthusiast who just pushed it too far,” ABC News contributor Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense, told the outlet.

“It looked like this was deliberate and intentional to see just how they would react.”

The drones raised particular concern because of the B-52 bombers being held at the site. 2nd Bomb Wing

Flying drones over a military base is not only safety issue — it’s a criminal offense under federal law.

“We are working closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies to investigate these incursions. The security of our installation and the safety of our people are top priorities, and we will continue to vigilantly monitor our airspace,” a Barksdale spokesperson said.


Sweden intercepts suspected Russian drone during visit by French aircraft carrier


The Swedish military has intercepted a suspected Russian drone off the south of the country as a French aircraft carrier was docked in the port of Malmö, officials say.

The armed forces said on Thursday that a Swedish naval ship observed the suspected drone during a patrol in the Öresund, the strait that divides Sweden from Denmark.

They said that unspecified countermeasures were taken to disrupt the drone, and that contact with the drone was then lost.


Sweden intercepts suspected Russian drone during visit by French aircraft carrier
The French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle (R91) during a media tour while moored at the quay of the North Port in Malmo, Sweden, on Feb. 25, 2026. TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images

The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in the southern Swedish city of Malmö this week as part of regular NATO exercise activities. Malmö is located on the Öresund, opposite the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

French military spokesperson Guillaume Vernet told The Associated Press that the drone was detected on Wednesday and handled by Swedish forces integrated into a security system around the carrier.

He said Friday that the drone was more than 6 miles from the Charles de Gaulle.

“This system showed it is robust, and this event had no impact on the activity of the aircraft carrier battle group,” Vernet said.

Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson told public broadcaster SVT Thursday evening that the suspected violation of Swedish airspace by a drone happened in connection with a Russian military ship being in Swedish territorial waters.


The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in the southern Swedish city of Malmö this week as part of regular NATO exercise activities
The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in the southern Swedish city of Malmö this week as part of regular NATO exercise activities. via REUTERS

Asked what country he thinks the drone belongs to, he replied: “Probably Russia.”

The Russian ship continued into the Baltic Sea, and Swedish authorities have been in close contact with Denmark about the incident, Jonson said. The armed forces said no further drones were observed.

Western officials say Russia is masterminding a campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe. An Associated Press database has documented well over 100 incidents.

Not all incidents are public and it can sometimes take officials months to establish a link to Moscow. While officials say the campaign — waged since President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — aims to deprive Kyiv of support, they believe Moscow is also trying to identify Europe’s weak spots and suck up law enforcement resources.