New Jersey residents and officials are demanding answers after weeks of mysterious drone sightings over military installations, residential neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure. The situation has raised security concerns and prompted calls for transparency from federal agencies.
Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey, confirmed on Friday that drones have entered its restricted airspace multiple times. “While no direct threats have been identified, we remain prepared to respond to any risks,” said base spokesperson Bill Addison.
Reports of drone activity have increased since mid-November, particularly in Morris, Somerset, and Monmouth counties. Witnesses have shared videos of drones, some described as “SUV-sized”, flying in clusters and hovering for extended periods.
Residents have posted videos on social media showcasing loitering drones since November, with many frustrated by the lack of response from authorities. In Hunterdon County, Senator Andy Kim reported seeing dozens of drones in just two hours, calling for clearer answers from officials.
How are dozens of SUV-sized drones flying over New Jersey on a nightly basis and nobody in our government knows where they’re coming from or what they’re doing?
FBI, Congress, local officials – all baffled.
And no one is even talking about it?
WHAT?!pic.twitter.com/7ldNDqF94Y
— The Kevin Harlan Effect (@KevHarlanEffect) December 11, 2024
🚨 BREAKING – Probably the clearest Drone/UAPD Sighting that I’ve seen in New Jersey, taken in Last Night in Neptune, N.J.
– GuitarLand#Ufotwitter #Ufos #Uap #Ufox #LueElizondo #Ovni #Alien #Disclosure #DavidGrusch #Uaphearing #NJ #NewJerseyUFO #Drones pic.twitter.com/P2lcdM5bJW
— T R U T H P O L E (@Truthpolex) December 13, 2024
The sightings have sparked a bipartisan response. Rep. Jeff Van Drew accused the Pentagon of hiding information, suggesting, without evidence, that the drones could come from an Iranian or Chinese ship. The Pentagon rejected these claims, with spokesperson Sabrina Singh stating, “There is no Iranian mothership off the coast of the United States.”
Governor Phil Murphy sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for additional federal resources to investigate. Murphy emphasized the need for transparency, writing, “New Jersey residents deserve concrete information about these drone sightings.” He also urged Congress to pass laws allowing local law enforcement to use advanced technology to detect and address drone threats.
I wrote to @POTUS to express my concerns about reports of unmanned aircraft systems in and around NJ airspace.
Since existing laws limit the ability of state and local law enforcement to counter UAS, more federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity. pic.twitter.com/mkeUeW7ury
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) December 13, 2024
New Jersey Assemblymember Dawn Fantasia said law enforcement briefings revealed that the drones are “up to six feet in diameter” and hard to track using standard radio frequency monitoring. Experts say this could indicate the use of advanced or modified drone technology.
The FAA prohibits unauthorized drone activity over restricted areas, including military sites, and warns that shooting down drones is illegal under federal law. Despite this, public frustration has led to social media discussions about taking action independently, prompting warnings from officials.
The unexplained drone activity has also been reported near critical infrastructure, including Port Liberty, Fort Wadsworth, and major bridges in the New York City area. Similar incidents have been reported at military installations in Virginia and the United Kingdom.
Lawmakers, including Rep. Josh Gottheimer, are pressing federal agencies to provide immediate answers. “The public is concerned, and they deserve to know what’s happening,” Gottheimer said.
Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and FBI, are allegedly investigating the sightings, but no source or purpose for the drones has been identified.
Today, the @FBI and DHS jointly issued a statement on reported drone sightings in New Jersey ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kzbmTzjvkr
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 12, 2024
