Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
The flight operated from ZZZ to GRK following the the ZZZZZ departure to ZZZZZ1 Intersection and then direct to the airport. This route brings flights from the east to the airport just south of multiple restricted areas. At approximately 12-15 miles east of the GRK at 4;000 feet; We accepted a visual approach clearance for Runway 15. We noted the restricted areas to the north of the field and made a 'dogleg' downwind to base for the runway with a course correction to avoid restricted areas to the northeast; followed by a turn just inside the published ILS Runway 15 FAF for a normal landing. Upon touching down Supervisor wished to speak to our crew and or management to inquire about procedures into the airport.Based on my discussion with the ATC manager on duty at Gray Approach; there have been multiple occasions where other aircraft have penetrated restricted airspace and have had near miss collisions with military UAV's that took evasive action. In some cases the the restricted airspace is within 3 miles of the 15 runway east downwind. Per the traffic manager; controllers EXPECT crews to fly a traditional box pattern while executing visual approaches on left downwind legs to 15 at a rather close distance; or enter a midfield crosswind entry to a right downwind. There are no specific instructions from ATC at the time of a visual clearance to fly a specific pattern. I recommend additional coordination between company management; union; and Gray ATC to develop set of procedures and or additional guidance/recommendations for our flights that can incorporated into 10-7 station pages.
Air carrier Captain reported an restricted airspace violation near GRK and was told this is a common occurrence; which sometimes results in conflicts with military drones.