Officials from the White House, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security emphasized on Saturday that most drone reports recently filed in New Jersey and nearby states actually involved piloted aircraft. They also confirmed there was no indication of a national security threat.
During an unscheduled press briefing, an FBI representative explained that the agency was collaborating with 50 different partners across local, state, and federal levels to address the surge in reports. According to the official, fewer than 100 of the over 5,000 sightings reported had warranted further examination, and all sightings of large fixed-wing aircraft were confirmed as manned.
“The combination of efforts so far … to include technical equipment, tip line information and noted consults has … not found any evidence to support large-scale (unmanned aerial systems) activities,” the official stated. They added that many of the sightings took place along standard flight routes.
Investigations into the remaining incidents are ongoing, with officials conducting interviews and analyzing radar and intelligence data to uncover more information.
“We can’t ignore the sightings that have been there,” the official remarked. “We’re doing our best to find the origin of those drone activities, but I think there has been a slight over-reaction.”
On Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration enforced a no-fly zone for drones over the Army-Navy football game in Maryland. State officials announced that the restriction extended two miles around the stadium. The event was attended by President-elect Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.
Reports of drone activity, which first surfaced in New Jersey in mid-November, have now spread to states such as Maryland and Massachusetts. The sightings have generated significant media coverage and even led to the creation of a Facebook group called “New Jersey Mystery Drones – let’s solve it,” which boasts 56,000 members.
A White House official confirmed that President Joe Biden has been receiving frequent updates about the situation.
In Harwich, Massachusetts, residents and a local police officer reported observing 10-15 drones in the sky on Friday night, according to the Boston Herald. Authorities relayed these reports to the FBI’s Boston office and the Massachusetts State Police.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey acknowledged the issue in a Facebook post, writing, “I am aware of a growing number of drone sightings across Massachusetts, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.”
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul demanded heightened federal enforcement after drone activity temporarily closed runways at an airport in the Hudson Valley for one hour on Friday.
“This has gone too far,” Hochul said in a statement shared on X. She called on the Biden administration to increase law enforcement efforts in New York and other affected regions, while urging Congress to advance legislation to reform drone regulations.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced a temporary restriction on drone operations over Picatinny Arsenal, a military base in Wharton, New Jersey. The restriction, set to expire on Dec. 26, may become permanent.
A military official revealed that drones had been sighted over Picatinny and another naval weapons station earlier in December. However, there was no evidence linking the activity to foreign entities or malicious intent. While drone operations over military sites are generally prohibited, occasional violations do occur, the official noted.
Additionally, a second restriction on drone activity was established over Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. This ban, initially set to expire on Dec. 20, could also be extended, according to an FAA official.
{Matzav.com}