The Langley Air Force Base Drone Swarm

In December 2023, one of the most significant and troubling aerial incursions in recent American military history occurred at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. For 17 consecutive nights, swarms of unidentified drones - some 20 feet in size and traveling at over 100 mph - appeared over the base that houses F-22 Raptor stealth fighters. Despite investigations by the FBI, Department of Defense, and AARO, the source of the drones remains unknown.

The Incident

The Pattern

Beginning December 6, 2023:

• Drones appeared 45-60 minutes after sunset each night
• Between 1 and 24 drones observed per night
• Objects approximately 20 feet (6 meters) in size
• Estimated speed of 100+ mph
• Some emitted lights resembling a moving constellation
• Pattern continued for 17 consecutive nights through December 23

The Response

The military took extraordinary measures:

• F-22 Raptors were grounded
• F-22s relocated to another base for safety
• F-16 combat air patrols conducted
• NASA WB-57F research aircraft deployed to investigate
• Base security protocols activated

The Investigation

Multiple agencies involved:

• FBI opened investigation
• Department of Defense coordinated response
• AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) involved
• Joint task force established
• Investigation remains ongoing

The Location

Langley Air Force Base

One of the most sensitive installations in America:

• Home to F-22 Raptor stealth fighters
• First Operational Wing of F-22s
• Headquarters of Air Combat Command
• Critical to national air defense
• Near Norfolk Naval Station

Why It Matters

The significance of the target:

• Stealth fighter technology at risk
• Potential reconnaissance activity
• Violation of restricted airspace
• National security implications
• Intelligence gathering opportunity

Related Incidents

Chinese National Arrested

January 2024:

• Fengyun Shi, Chinese national, arrested
• Charged with drone photography of Navy ships
• Location: 10 miles from Langley AFB
• Sentenced to 6 months prison
• Connection to drone swarm unconfirmed

Broader Pattern

This was not isolated:

• Nevada National Security Site also targeted (October 2023)
• New Jersey drone wave followed (November-December 2024)
• UK RAF bases experienced similar incursions (November 2024)
• Pattern of UAP/drone activity near military facilities

Official Statements

Pentagon Response

The military acknowledged:

• Drones were detected and tracked
• F-22s were temporarily relocated
• Investigation ongoing
• Source remains unidentified
• No confirmed attribution to any actor

Intelligence Assessment

As of December 2025:

• Operator not identified
• Origin of drones unknown
• Technology exceeds commercial capabilities
• Coordinated, sophisticated operation
• Not attributed to domestic hobbyists

The Questions

Unanswered Issues

The incident raises critical questions:

• Who operated the drones?
• What was their purpose?
• How did they evade countermeasures?
• Why 17 consecutive nights?
• Why did they stop?

Capabilities Displayed

The drones demonstrated:

• Ability to penetrate restricted airspace
• Coordination across multiple units
• Consistent timing and patterns
• Speed and size beyond hobby drones
• Apparent immunity to countermeasures

Implications

National Security

The incident exposed:

• Vulnerability of critical military installations
• Limits of current drone defense systems
• Need for improved detection capabilities
• Gap in domain awareness
• Challenges of attribution

Congressional Concern

Lawmakers have:

• Demanded briefings from Pentagon
• Questioned AARO officials
• Called for transparency
• Pushed for improved countermeasures
• Included provisions in defense legislation

The Ongoing Mystery

For 17 nights in December 2023, something flew over Langley Air Force Base.

It was sophisticated enough to evade America’s best air defenses. Coordinated enough to appear night after night. Bold enough to force the grounding of F-22 stealth fighters.

The FBI investigated. The Pentagon deployed research aircraft. Multiple agencies collaborated.

And still, as of December 2025, no one knows who sent them.

No foreign power has been blamed. No domestic group has been identified. No explanation has been accepted.

They came. They flew. They watched.

And then they stopped.

Why they came remains unknown.

Why they stopped remains equally mysterious.

The Langley Air Force Base drone swarm.

One of the most significant aerial intrusions in American military history.

And we still don’t know who was behind it.

Or what they wanted.

Or if they’ll come back.