For weeks, citizens in New Jersey and other states have reported mysterious clusters of drone-like objects flying low in the sky at night. Despite growing concern and social media buzz, official information has been scarce. State officials have confirmed sightings, pushed for clarity from federal agencies, and requested FBI involvement.
Key Developments and Facts:
1. Incident at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (Ohio):
- The base, located near Dayton, Ohio, halted air operations for nearly four hours from Friday night into Saturday due to “small unmanned aerial systems.”
- The facility, which houses advanced technology and research, reported no impact from the drones, according to Bob Purtiman, the base’s chief of public affairs.
2. Federal Response:
- Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas acknowledged the sightings, stating on December 15 that “there’s no question people are seeing drones.”
- Mayorkas suggested some reports may involve manned aircraft or duplicate sightings and assured the public there is no indication of foreign involvement.
- Federal agencies, including the FBI, have received 5,000 tips on drone sightings, but fewer than 100 warranted deeper investigation.
- Modeling suggests many sightings occur near major airport flight paths, possibly confusing planes with drones.
3. Increasing Concern Among Officials:
- New York:
- Gov. Kathy Hochul announced federal officials are sending a “drone detection system” to her state.
- Hochul urged Congress to empower states to deal directly with drones, an idea backed by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
- Hochul revealed drone activity caused Stewart Airfield, north of New York City, to close its runways for about an hour on December 13, calling the situation “too far.”
- Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY): Advocated for Congress to grant local police more tools to address drone activity.
- Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ): Posted videos of alleged drone sightings on December 12, later clarifying that deeper analysis suggested most were planes. Still, Kim urged federal guidance for the public on actual drone activity.
- Connecticut Sen. Tony Hwang: Warned of “possible unauthorized drones” in Fairfield, urging proactive measures, including the potential to “shoot drones down.”
4. Local Reports and Responses:
- Belleville, NJ:
- Mayor Michael Melham stated that New Jersey’s Office of Emergency Management advised contacting the county bomb squad for downed drones and wearing hazmat suits near any fallen drones, citing concerns about potential payloads.
- Morris County, NJ:
- Reports of drone activity first surfaced on November 19. Police announced investigations, clarifying there was “no known threat to public safety.”
- Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando:
- Described the drones as car-sized and larger than consumer-grade drones.
- Sightings reportedly occurred nightly for two weeks, beginning at sunset and lasting into early morning.
5. Federal Aviation Administration and FBI Action:
- Early December: The FAA implemented temporary flight restrictions over the Picatinny Arsenal military base and Bedminster, home to Donald Trump’s golf club.
- December 3: The FBI joined multiple New Jersey police investigations, requesting public assistance for reports of “clusters of drones and a possible fixed-wing aircraft.”
The situation remains under investigation as state and federal officials work to determine the origin, purpose, and safety implications of the mysterious drones.
