UK to control its Afghanistan drones from England

LONDON – Britain's military says that it is bringing its drone controllers back from the western United States and setting them at an air base in northern England.

Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton said Friday that the transfer of the controllers from the U.S. to the U.K. would allow "more efficient and effective use of our resources."

Operators of the British military's Reapers, unmanned armed reconnaissance aircraft used for surveillance and airstrikes, had previously worked out of Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.

Britain's Ministry of Defense is increasing the number of drones in its arsenal even at it cuts back on its fighter jet squadrons.

Late last year the ministry announced plans to purchase an additional five Reaper drones.