• Over the past few weeks, numerous unidentified aircraft have been observed flying over various cities in the eastern United States.
• There have been sightings of suspected drones flying ominously over military bases and commercial airports.
• The FBI announced on Saturday that they are actively investigating these sightings, yet they currently do not view them as a credible threat.

Since mid-November, various unidentified aircraft, some of which appear to be drones, have been reported flying at night over New Jersey and several neighboring states. This spate of sightings has ignited concern among local officials and fueled speculation among residents.

FBI and Department of Homeland Security officials informed the public on Saturday that their inquiry is ongoing, although there is no evidence to suggest that these aircraft present any threat to public safety or are linked to foreign entities.

“However, we still don’t have conclusive answers,” a spokesperson from the Joint Staff acknowledged on a recent statement that confirmed drone sightings around two military bases located in New Jersey. “We have not yet managed to locate or identify the operators or the points of origin for these drones.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul also voiced her concerns on Saturday, urging for increased federal regulation surrounding drone activities. “This situation has escalated beyond acceptable limits,” she remarked.

Where have Residents Reported Sightings of Unidentified Aircraft?

In recent weeks, witnesses have reported seeing unidentified aircraft, presumed to be drones, flying over states including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The initial reports were documented by the FBI on November 18.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy commented on Monday that some of these suspected drones exhibit “very sophisticated” capabilities, enabling them to “go dark” instantly upon detection. Observers have described the aircraft as being larger than standard hobby drones and capable of eluding radar.

“This is a matter we are addressing with the utmost seriousness, and we have received strong support from federal authorities, yet we require more assistance,” Murphy emphasized during a press briefing.

Notably, these drones have been observed in close proximity to Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle—both military installations in New Jersey—as well as an airport in New York that serves both public and military flights. Nonetheless, officials want to emphasize that such drone sightings are not uncommon.

“This is not an unprecedented issue for us; we have been addressing drone incursions over our military bases for some time,” the Joint Staff spokesperson stated on Saturday. “Each case is treated with care, responding diligently to every reported incident.”

Reports have emerged of drones tailing a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and local police have noted the presence of unidentified aircraft around crucial infrastructure, increasing the sense of urgency.

The U.S. Northern Command confirmed that it is “aware of and monitoring reports of unauthorized drone flights in proximity to military installations in New Jersey,” particularly near Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle.

Latest reports indicated sightings in Connecticut, according to a statement released on Friday by State Senator Tony Hwang.

What Are Officials Saying About These Unidentified Drones?

President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social to express his belief that the drones “cannot be operated without the knowledge of our government” and proposed they should be downed. However, officials voiced apprehensions about this approach, citing potential dangers to the local population from falling debris. Neither kinetic nor electronic warfare strategies are particularly suitable when conducted near civilian areas.

During an interview on Fox News, Rep. Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey suggested that the drones may originate from an Iranian “mothership” stationed off the East Coast, citing information from “very high sources.”

Nevertheless, Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh refuted that claim in a press briefing later that day, asserting, “There are no Iranian vessels off the U.S. coast, and no so-called motherships deploying drones toward the United States.”

Singh elaborated, noting that the Pentagon has seen no evidence supporting the idea that the reported drone sightings are initiatives driven by foreign adversaries. While Iran is known to operate ships capable of drone deployment, they had recently been sighted off their southern coast—not tracking towards the U.S.

Van Drew persisted in his statements on Thursday, claiming that the government is not being truthful and speculating that another adversarial ship could be involved. A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed on Saturday that there is no evidence indicating involvement from foreign entities in the reported drone activity.

On Thursday, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, affirmed that the U.S. has “no evidence” indicating the reported drone sightings pose a public safety risk. He added that officials suspect that some of the supposed drones might actually have been piloted aircraft operating within legal guidelines.

Kirby also noted that the federal government has yet to corroborate any of the reported sightings. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, an FBI representative disclosed that the bureau has received over 5,000 tips via a national tip line, with fewer than 100 of those deemed worthy of further investigation.

“We are making every effort to trace the source of these drone activities,” the FBI spokesperson said, adding, “I believe there has been a somewhat exaggerated reaction to these sightings.”

In the meantime, local officials continue to demand additional information. New York Governor Kathy Hochul reported on Saturday that flight operations at Stewart International Airport in Orange County were suspended for an hour because of unidentified drone activity. Hochul has called for Congress to enhance the Federal Aviation Administration’s control over drone operations and to provide local law enforcement with counter-drone technology.

Additionally, mayors from 21 municipalities in New Jersey sent a letter to Governor Murphy on Monday, urging greater transparency. Their letter stated, “Despite our inquiries to pertinent authorities, we have yet to receive satisfactory answers concerning the purpose, operators, or safety guidelines governing these flights.”

The FBI confirmed they are leading the investigation, joined by local law enforcement agencies which are also looking into the matter.

History of Unidentified Aircraft and Drone Sightings

Numerous incidents involving sightings of suspected drones and other unknown flying objects hovering over military installations have been documented in recent years.

For instance, in February 2023, the United States military took action by downing three unidentified aircraft over American airspace within a span of three days. These incidents coincided with the takedown of a spy balloon off the coast of North Carolina, alleged to have originated from China.

Regarding drone activity, reports from The Wall Street Journal in October indicated that fleets of drones had been noted flying over a military base in Virginia as well as the Energy Department’s Nevada National Security Site the prior year. Former Air Force General Mark Kelly disclosed that he became aware of these sightings in December 2023, where officials at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia confirmed they observed a multitude of drones flying overhead at night. The responsible parties behind those sightings remain unclear.

While federal officials maintain that the latest flurry of sightings does not suggest action from adversaries or indicate a public safety threat, repeated incidents near military facilities have elevated national security apprehensions.

For instance, on Monday, federal authorities charged a Chinese citizen living in California, Yinpiao Zhou, for failing to register a non-transportation aircraft and infringing upon national defense airspace. The Justice Department accused Zhou of employing a drone to capture images of Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County on November 30, and he was arrested at San Francisco International Airport just before boarding a flight back to China.

In another case, Fengyun Shi, another Chinese national, received a six-month prison sentence in October for using a drone to photograph classified U.S. Navy vessels in Virginia. Shi, who was studying at the University of Minnesota, admitted guilt to two misdemeanor counts concerning unauthorized aircraft operations for the unlawful photographing of designated military installations.

The FBI representative who spoke on Saturday highlighted that they are committed to working alongside their partners to understand the recent drone activities and explore whether there might be any underlying nefarious motives that require further examination.

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