US officials are investigating a series of mysterious drone sightings over a military base in Washington, DC, where some of the country’s top security leaders reside. Multiple unidentified drones were detected flying over Fort Lesley J McNair, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth have official residences.
According to officials, cited by the Washington Post, several drones were spotted on a single night within the past 10 days. Authorities have not yet determined where the drones originated from, adding to the uncertainty.
The incident comes at a time when the US military is already on high alert due to ongoing strikes involving the US and Israel against Iran.
Heightened alert across bases
A senior administration official told the Washington Post that the military is closely tracking potential threats given the evolving situation. The drone sightings prompted tighter security measures at Fort McNair and even triggered discussions at the White House on how to respond.
The developments are part of a broader security escalation. The US has issued a global alert for its diplomatic missions and increased protection levels at several domestic bases.
At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and MacDill Air Force Base, officials raised the force protection level to Charlie—indicating intelligence suggests a potential threat. Only Delta, the highest level, signals an imminent or ongoing attack.
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The drone activity was serious enough for officials to consider relocating Rubio and Hegseth from the base, though a senior official confirmed they have not been moved.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to provide details, saying, “The department cannot comment on the secretary’s movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, the State Department has not issued any public response.
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Wider security incidents add to alarm
Security concerns have also surfaced elsewhere. At MacDill Air Force Base—home to US Central Command—facilities were locked down twice this week following separate incidents, including a suspicious package and another unspecified threat.
Globally, US diplomatic posts have been instructed to “immediately” review their security measures due to “the ongoing and developing situation in West Asia and the potential for spillover effects.”
The drone sightings also revive concerns about earlier threats linked to Iran, particularly after the 2020 killing of Qasem Soleimani. Similar drone incidents were reported during recent election campaigns involving Donald Trump.
While no direct link has been established this time, the timing of the sightings—amid escalating regional conflict—has intensified scrutiny.
