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It’s widely known that military installations are highly protected and fortified zones, and this has only been amplified with the advent of drones. Personnel must remain alert for any unmanned aircraft and neutralize them immediately. This was precisely the case earlier this month at a naval installation close to Seattle, Washington. The positive aspect is that the drone was not operated by someone with ill intent seeking to collect information or sabotage the base; the unusual twist is that it was owned by an individual stationed there.
The Navy disclosed that on February 3, an unnamed reservist (a member of the reserve forces who engages in annual training but is primarily a civilian) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island opted to pilot a personal quadcopter-type drone during his break. He failed to alert anyone beforehand. As per the base’s spokesperson, Michael Welding, the device was swiftly deactivated once it was identified. The soldiers present quickly assessed that the drone did not carry any explosives or pose any tangible threat and traced it back to the aforementioned reservist. Given that personal drone use is “in violation of base regulations,” the reservist was subsequently detained for questioning.
Why a drone outside of NAS Whidbey Island was treated with hostility
Even if you aren’t familiar with NAS Whidbey Island, you’re likely aware of the EA-18G Growler. Most of these airborne electronic warfare platforms are located at NAS Whidbey Island and constitute the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron. Growlers can take off from aircraft carriers and jam radar systems, rendering enemies incapable of detecting aerial assaults. Although the EA-18G lacks the firepower of an F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, it nonetheless holds a vital role on the contemporary battlefield. Had a drone from a hostile entity managed to escape with sensitive information regarding NAS Whidbey Island — or worse, detonated the base — the U.S. military’s operational capabilities would have been severely compromised until they could acquire more Growlers.
To be fair, every division of the U.S. military generally regards drones with suspicion. According to <a href="https://www.war.gov