Arnold AFB calls on community to report suspicious drone activity

Photo By Staff Sgt. Keith Thornburgh | Robert Hastings, Small Unmanned Aircraft System operator at Arnold Air Force Base, right, pilots a drone while receiving input from Matt Holder, sUAS observer at Arnold, during a March 5, 2025, demonstration of the drone used to conduct asset health assessments at Arnold AFB, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. While the pictured drone is maintained and operated by Arnold personnel, others seen flying above or around the base may not be. The Arnold AFB sUAS Office and AEDC leadership at Arnold are asking members of the public living in the communities surrounding Arnold AFB to report suspicious drone activity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)  

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENNESSEE, UNITED STATES

11.18.2025

Story by Bradley Hicks 

Arnold Engineering Development Complex

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – Those working on military installations are likely very familiar with the phrase “If you see something, say something.”
This call to action encourages those employed at national defense facilities to report any suspicious activity observed around the base, camp or station. However, the appeal is not limited to those employed at military sites but also extends to the communities surrounding such installations.
Small Unmanned Aircraft System Office team members at Arnold Air Force Base and Arnold Engineering Development Complex leadership are urging members of the public living near Arnold who witness suspicious drone activity to report it.
“The base commander is calling on the local community to act and play a vital role in the safety and security of our community, the base and our nation,” said Seth Green, Arnold AFB Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office program manager. “If you observe any drone activity that seems suspicious or observe a drone flying on the installation, please report it immediately.”
How to report suspicious drone activity
If you observe activity that you feel is suspicious, please contact the Base Defense Operations Center at 931-454-5662 and provide as much information as possible, including:
• Location of the drone
• Description of the drone, including size, shape and color if discernable
• What the drone is doing
• If you observe the drone operator
• Any payloads or objects attached to the drone
Along with encouraging members of the community to report suspicious drone activity, the Arnold AFB sUAS team wants drone operators in the community to be informed about federal airspace regulations around the base and requests that operators uphold these rules.
A National Security Unmanned Aircraft System Flight Restriction, or NSUFR, is in effect over Arnold AFB. This means unauthorized drone flights are strictly prohibited within a defined area surrounding the installation. The base perimeter is vast and spans more than 40,000 acres, including the airspace above Woods Reservoir.
Consequences of violating the NSUFR
Flying a drone within the NSUFR is a violation of federal law and can result in serious repercussions, including:
• Government Seizure: The drone may be seized by federal authorities.
• Potential Destruction: The drone may be subject to destruction by technical means during an airspace incursion.
• Legal Penalties: Operators may face civil penalties, criminal prosecution, fines and be charged with multiple federal crimes.
• Federal Aviation Administration Enforcement: The FAA may take additional enforcement actions against violators. According to the FAA website, drone operators who conduct unsafe or unauthorized operations face civil fines up to $75,000 per violation. The FAA can also suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.
Before You Fly
Drone operators are required to be aware of and comply with all airspace restrictions. The following resources can be utilized to ensure a drone is being flown in a legal airspace:
• FAA's B4UFLY App: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly
• FAA Drone Information: https://www.faa.gov/uas
“The safety and security of Arnold Air Force Base and our surrounding community are paramount,” Green said. “Your cooperation in adhering to these regulations and reporting suspicious activity is essential for maintaining the safety and security of the base and the local community. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to responsible drone operations. Together, we can protect the people of our community and the security of this great nation.”

• Date Taken: 11.18.2025
• Date Posted: 11.18.2025 15:06
• Story ID: 551606
• Location: ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENNESSEE, US