In December 2023, unidentified drones flew over a sensitive nuclear weapons testing facility for three days and then over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 straight nights, revealing a dangerous pattern of hesitation and risk-averse decision-making within the U.S. military.
On December 7, 2023, a swarm of sophisticated drones, some as large as 20 feet long, violated U.S. military airspace, flying over the Air Combat Command headquarters with its squadrons of advanced F-22 Raptor fighters. The drones also came close to the world's largest naval port in Norfolk and other key national security installations.
Unknown Drone Fleet Breached US Military Base Airspace for 17 Straight Days
Despite possessing authority to disrupt or destroy the drones under Department of Defense directives and classified rules of engagement, the military and civilian chain of command hesitated. The base commander reported the incident to the National Military Command Center, which then forwarded a report to the White House Situation Room. President Biden was briefed but failed to order immediate action.
As the drones continued to operate unimpeded for 15 more nights, Homeland Security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall convened brainstorming sessions in the White House to consider options. However, all suggestions were rejected as too risky or not authorized use of force.
Unknown Drone Fleet Breached US Military Base Airspace for 17 Straight Days
This inaction stemmed from misinterpretations of federal law, which prohibits the military from shooting down drones near military bases only in certain circumstances. The Preventing Emerging Threats Act of 2018 does not apply to military bases, and military commanders have the authority to act swiftly without external approval when an imminent threat is posed.
The drone incidents revealed a culture of bureaucratic caution within the military, where making the "wrong" decision is considered worse than inaction. The "zero-defect mentality" discourages initiative, with leaders fearing career consequences for engaging targets that may turn out to be non-hostile.
Unknown Drone Fleet Breached US Military Base Airspace for 17 Straight Days
This paralysis represents a failure to adapt to evolving aerial threats and a deeper cultural problem within the military. Former President Trump has vowed to address the confusion about the military's ability to defend American airspace should he return to office, emphasizing the need for decisive action and replacing underperforming senior officers.
In contrast to the recent inaction, historical examples of decisive military responses demonstrate a different ethos. In 1941, the commander of the USS Ward did not hesitate to engage a Japanese submarine approaching Pearl Harbor, an action that reflected a more proactive and aggressive military mindset.
Unknown Drone Fleet Breached US Military Base Airspace for 17 Straight Days
The drone incidents demand a reevaluation of the military's decision-making processes, with a focus on empowering commanders to respond effectively to aerial threats without excessive bureaucratic interference. Urgent steps must be taken to foster a culture of bold and assertive leadership, capable of safeguarding American airspace and national security.
