QUANTICO, Va. -- Air Force Office of Special Investigations leaders are warning drone operators that unauthorized flights near military installations will not be dismissed as harmless mistakes, urging them to check airspace restrictions before takeoff or risk being arrested and prosecuted.
“The Department of the Air Force takes unauthorized drone activity near its installations seriously because protecting people and assets is our priority,” said Col. Brian Alexander, commander of the AFOSI Center. “That is why we will continue working closely with local and federal partners while reminding operators to understand the rules before they fly.”
Alexander said the AFOSI Center is committed to helping protect Airmen, Guardians, families, installations and assets from the evolving presence of small unmanned aircraft systems, while supporting the safe and responsible use of airspace.
As AFOSI’s hub for specialized support, the Center assists detachments across the agency when responding to emerging threats, including unauthorized drone incursions.
"The rapid evolution of drone technology requires a collaborative approach,” said Scott Menoher, director of intelligence for Joint Interagency Task Force 401. “JIATF-401 is proud to work alongside OSI to analyze these systems and stay ahead of the curve. Together, we are building a safer airspace by fostering community awareness, encouraging responsible drone use, and protecting our personnel and facilities."
Established by the Secretary of War in August 2025, JIATF-401 was created to synchronize counter-drone efforts across the Department of War and rapidly deliver state of the art c-UAS capabilities.
In the field, that support is paired with investigations led by AFOSI regions and detachments, including AFOSI Region 8, where counterintelligence teams work with Security Forces and partner agencies to investigate drone activity, identify drone operators and support prosecution.
“This is a serious crime with real consequences,” said Col. David Bethel, commander of AFOSI Reg. 8. “If you are a responsible hobbyist or commercial operator, use the FAA tools, check the airspace and stay away from restricted areas. If you ignore those rules and fly over [DAF] installations anyway, expect to be investigated and prosecuted.”
Know before you fly
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), drone flights may be restricted near military installations, and operators launching nearby can enter restricted airspace without realizing it. Flying a drone near or over a military installation is often prohibited, and operators are responsible for knowing applicable FAA rules before takeoff.
“Responsible airspace use plays an important role in protecting both civilian and military aviation operations, particularly near installations with active flightlines,” said Jennifer Coner, a senior intelligence analyst at the AFOSI Center.
Coner added many incidents involve well-meaning operators who do not realize airspace near military installations is restricted. However, that doesn’t write off the law.
“We understand some operators may not intend to violate the law,” Bethel said. “But intent does not erase the risk. If you fly near a military installation and violate restricted airspace, you should expect us to take it seriously.”
To avoid this, Coner said responsible operators should know where they can and cannot fly before takeoff. That means checking official FAA resources, reviewing Notices to Air Missions, known as NOTAMs, and looking for Temporary Flight Restrictions before every flight.
Depending on the drone and how it is operated, FAA registration and other requirements may also apply.
Coner said operators should use FAA-approved B4UFLY mobile or desktop tools to help identify restricted areas but should not rely solely on commercial drone apps or assume airspace is clear because they are not launching directly over an installation.
“Even when an installation flightline doesn’t appear active from outside the fence line, aircraft operations, training and other mission activity may still be underway,” Coner said. “Using drones responsibly helps protect national security, while ensuring safe recreational flying opportunities for the public.”
Expect consequences
While education remains an important part of prevention, officials said unauthorized drone activity will not be dismissed as harmless simply because an operator claims they did not intend harm, adding that the security environment across the homeland has changed.
“The era of assuming a drone near a military installation is just a hobbyist making a mistake is over,” Bethel said. “The threat environment has changed, and AFOSI is treating these incidents seriously.”
He said unauthorized drone activity generally falls into three broad categories, including operators who do not know the rules, operators who know the rules but choose to ignore them and individuals who may be using drones for surveillance or other unlawful activity.
“Most drone owners are not trying to cause harm,” Coner said. “Drones are widely used for recreation, photography and business, but near military installations, operators need to be deliberate about where they launch, where they fly and what airspace rules apply.”
Bethel said AFOSI is working with Security Forces, FBI, FAA, U.S. Attorney’s Offices and other local, state and federal partners to investigate unauthorized drone activity and pursue accountability.
Report what you see
In addition to education and enforcement, officials also said timely reporting can help AFOSI investigators and analysts, who work alongside Security Forces counterparts, to assess whether a drone is operating in restricted airspace and identify the operator.
Members of the public are asked to report suspicious sUAS activity to local law enforcement or base security forces immediately and should not attempt to engage, follow or interfere with the drone or its operator, officials said.
“Public reporting matters,” Bethel said. “A timely call can help AFOSI and Security Forces locate the operator, identify vehicles, preserve evidence and determine whether laws were broken.”
Like at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, where launch operations make airspace awareness especially important, Special Agents there said the public can help by remembering basic details when reporting drone sightings.
“Things like the drone’s size and color, whether it had lights, and details about anyone operating it or whether there was a nearby vehicle associated with it can all be helpful,” said an investigator from the local detachment.
Coner recommended using the DAF’s SALUTE format for suspicious activity reporting, which instructs witnesses to note details such as size, activity, location, time, equipment and any nearby operator or vehicle.
For drone sightings, that may include the aircraft’s appearance, lights and flight path.
Officials also said reports should focus on observable details and avoid speculation about intent, origin or capability. Installation personnel and partner agencies can use timely, accurate information to evaluate the potential risks while protecting operational security.
“The best outcome is clear to the DAF,” Bethel said. “Operators need to know the rules and stay away from our bases and restricted areas. Fly drones in a lawful manner somewhere else. But if they choose to ignore the rules, the Defenders, AFOSI, and our partners in law enforcement are ready.”