British troops to help US find who is flying drones over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell

British troops have been drafted in to help the United States Air Force find out who is responsible for flying drones over two Suffolk bases and one in Norfolk.

A small number of drones were spotted overnight flying over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk, the USAF confirmed.

Sources said around 60 troops had been deployed to help the USAF in its investigation of the incident.

USAF said the number of sightings ‘fluctuated and varied between the bases’ but the drones had not been identified as hostile.

It comes days after it was confirmed that a small number of ‘unmanned aerial systems’ were spotted in the vicinity of the three bases between Wednesday and Sunday.

UK authorities are working to ensure the safety of the sites.

In a statement yesterday, a spokesperson for USAF in Europe said: “We can confirm there were sightings yesterday during night-time hours and can only confirm that the number fluctuated and varied between the bases over the night.

“Since November 20 there has been no impact to residents or infrastructure and they have not been identified as hostile.

“However, they are still continuously being monitored to ensure the safety and security of the installations.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites.

“We are supporting the US Air Force response.”