And with that rise in private drone ownership has come mounting issues with many of those drones ending up in places they shouldn’t be.

Last week, officials at Hill Air Force Base issued a press release reminding the public that the base and its associated properties are among those places where the flight of private drones is not welcome.

“As the popularity of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), or drones, continues to grow, officials at Hill Air Force Base are reminding the public that the installation, along with the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) and Little Mountain Test Facility, are designated ‘No Drone Zones,’ the release said.

In the release, Col. Dan Cornelius, 75th Air Base Wing commander, said drone overflights pose several risks.

“The safety of our Airmen and their families, along with the security of our mission are top priorities,” he said. “Drones operated in our airspace endanger our personnel and jeopardize the sensitive work we do here. We are asking for the community’s full cooperation to help us keep our skies safe for everyone.”

Kendahl Johnson, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs operations chief, told the Standard-Examiner in an email Monday that Hill Air Force Base and properties such as UTTR and Little Mountain have had issues with private drone overflights, and these issues have only grown at military properties throughout the world in recent years.

“Unauthorized drone flights are a significant safety and security concern,” Johnson said. “These incursions pose risks to aviation, can disrupt critical national security missions, and endanger both aircrew and ground personnel. The issue is serious enough that it has led to the implementation of new counter-drone measures and investigations involving federal and local law enforcement. The problem is not isolated to Hill AFB. Across the U.S. military, there has been a notable increase in drone incursions. U.S. Northern Command reported that drone incursions over military installations increased by 82% between September 2024 and September 2025.”

Johnson said the base works with other federal and local partners to help prevent drone incursions.

“Hill AFB, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local law enforcement, actively monitors for drone activity,” Johnson said. “The base has a clear policy that all drone flights, including public, civil, and model aircraft, are strictly forbidden over the installation and the Utah Test and Training Range without proper authorization. Drone operators are legally responsible for knowing and complying with all FAA regulations. Violators may face significant fines and even criminal prosecution. The base encourages the public to report any drone sightings over military property to help maintain a safe and secure environment.”

The press release notes that there are resources available to guide drone users.

“The FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app is a valuable resource that provides real-time information about airspace restrictions and other flying requirements,” the release said.