Incident · 13 December 2024 – 14 December 2024 · Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Wright-Patterson AFB drone incursions (Ohio, 2024)
Also known as Wright-Patterson drones, Wright-Patt airspace closure
Late on Friday 13 December 2024, during a wave of drone sightings in the U.S. Northeast, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, closed its airspace for about four hours after small unmanned aerial systems were seen over and around the base. A tower recording obtained by The War Zone warns a medical transport flight of "heavy UAS movement on the base".
The base's public affairs office confirmed the sightings and said the drones did not affect base residents, facilities or assets. No origin was announced. Like the Langley incursions of December 2023, the episode raised questions about the defence of U.S. bases against small drones. The base described them only as small unmanned aerial systems.
Sources: WVXU (2024) · WCPO 9 (2024) · The War Zone (2024)
Facts and claims
- claimed Bob Purtiman, chief of public affairs at the 88th Air Base Wing, confirmed that "small unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the vicinity of and over Wright-Patterson Air Force Base between 13 and 14 December", and that the base's airspace was closed for about four hours late Friday night into Saturday morning. Source: wvxu.org (archived)
- claimed The base said leaders determined that the drones did not affect base residents, facilities or assets, and that its units continued to monitor the airspace with local authorities. Source: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's airspace shut down due to unidentified drones (WCPO 9, 2024) at 0:39
- claimed At Disclosure Forum 2026, Marik von Rennenkampff said FOIA records show 15 to 30 objects on radar during the 2024 Wright-Patterson closure. Those records have not been located for this archive. — Marik von Rennenkampff Source: UAP & National Security: Mellon, Gallaudet, von Rennenkampff & McConnell at Disclosure Forum 2026 at 10:49
Connected files
Incidents
- Langley AFB drone incursions (similar to) — Both are drone incursions over Air Force bases
People
- Marik von Rennenkampff (statements by)
Places
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (occurred at)
Videos
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's airspace shut down due to unidentified drones (WCPO 9, 2024) (subject of)
- UAP & National Security: Mellon, Gallaudet, von Rennenkampff & McConnell at Disclosure Forum 2026 (discussed in)
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