Multiple unauthorized drones detected near US base housing nuclear-capable bombers: Report

Barksdale Air Force Base in the US state of Louisiana, which houses B-52 bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons, detected multiple unauthorized drones operating above its airspace during the week of March 9, Fox News reported Friday.

A base official said authorities are working with federal and local law enforcement to investigate the incidents, adding, "Flying a drone over a military installation is not only a safety issue, it is a criminal offense under federal law."

Barksdale, located east of Shreveport, has a population of 15,000 and spans 89 square kilometers (34 square miles).

The disclosure came as the Pentagon said Thursday it was also investigating reports of unidentified drones spotted near Fort Lesley J. McNair, a major military installation in Washington, DC.

The drone sightings come amid the US-Israeli campaign against Iran, which began Feb. 28.