2024 New Jersey drone sightings
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (December 2024) |
Since late November 2024, there have been reports of large unidentified drones appearing during nighttime hours in multiple New Jersey counties and parts of New York City. The sightings have puzzled residents and raised concerns among local and federal authorities.[1][2][3] With no confirmed explanation, the situation has led to investigations by agencies such as the FBI, New Jersey State Police, and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.[4][5]
Geographic scope and impact
[edit]Initial sightings were reported in Morris and Somerset counties. Since then, people have reported sightings in at least a dozen New Jersey counties—including Bergen, Camden, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren—along with the New York City boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn.[6][7][8]
The sightings have occurred over residential neighborhoods, infrastructure such as power lines, railroads, and highways, and natural features like the Raritan River corridor. They have also appeared near sensitive sites, including Naval Weapons Station Earle, the Round Valley Reservoir, emergency communications centers, and local police stations.[9] Congressman Chris Smith alleged that at least a dozen drones followed a United States Coast Guard vessel.[10][11]
On November 26, 2024, a medevac helicopter was delayed in transporting a seriously injured patient due to reports of drone activity.[12][13] In response to concerns about possible incursions of the airspace over Picatinny Arsenal and President-elect Trump's Bedminster golf club, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued temporary flight restrictions.[9][13]
Federal authorities acknowledged other sightings within the United States and internationally.[14] Similar unexplained drone incursions were also reported at United States military bases in the United Kingdom.[15][16]
Investigations and official inquiries
[edit]The FBI's Newark Field Office leads a multi-agency investigation that includes federal, state, and local entities. Officials have acknowledged uncertainty regarding the sightings. Despite collecting over 3,000 reports from the public via a tip line, investigators have yet to have a full explanation of the flap.[5][17]
Local law enforcement officials voiced concerns over drones' potentially "nefarious" nature.[9][4] Senior government officials, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and federal legislators, have engaged the United States Department of Homeland Security and other agencies. Murphy has consulted with Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the White House confirmed that President Biden is aware of the situation.[14]
Response from elected officials
[edit]Elected officials have demanded greater transparency and urgency from the FAA, DHS, and the New Jersey State Police. Nineteen elected officials, including fifteen mayors, have called for enhanced federal engagement.[18] Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation to fund advanced drone-tracking technologies, restrict weapon attachments to drones, and penalize interference with emergency services, law enforcement, or military operations.[19]
Senator Jon Bramnick suggested a temporary ban on drone use until the situation is resolved, and Senator Cory Booker wrote to federal authorities seeking more public disclosure and official briefings for local leaders.[20]
On December 11, 2024, Congressman Jeff Van Drew claimed that an Iranian "mothership" off the U.S. east coast might be responsible for the drones. The Pentagon refuted this, stating there was no evidence the drones originated from foreign adversaries.[21]
See also
[edit]- 2024 US air base drone incursions in the United Kingdom
- 2023 Chinese balloon incident
- Gatwick Airport drone incident
References
[edit]- ^ Kelley, Tina (December 8, 2024). "N.J. military base had 11 'confirmed' mystery drone sightings, Army says". NJ.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Nichols, Flynn (December 10, 2024). "Mystery New Jersey Drones 'Go Dark' When Spotted: Governor". Newsweek. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Shipkowski, Bruce (December 4, 2024). "FBI investigating reports of large drones flying in New Jersey, seeks public's help". AP News.
- ^ a b Murdoch, Jim (December 6, 2024). "Officials: More drones spotted across New Jersey, this time at the Jersey Shore". News 12. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Nicholls, Flynn (December 10, 2024). "FBI Issues Statement as Mystery Drone Sightings Reach New York". Newsweek. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Caloway, Nick (December 3, 2024). "Video shows drones circling the skies of New Jersey. Here's what the FBI is doing about them". CBS New York.
- ^ McDougall, AJ (December 11, 2024). "Mystery drone sightings expand to more N.J. counties. Here's what we know". NJ.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Maxfield, Jen (December 7, 2024). "FAA imposes flight restrictions as NJ drone mystery extends to Staten Island". NBC New York. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c McFadden, Alyce (December 7, 2024). "Unidentified Drones Light Up New Jersey's Skies, Baffling Residents". The New York Times.
- ^ Calderón, Jenna; Kruse, Lisa Robyn (December 10, 2024). "NJ congressman says 50 drones came in from the ocean; at least a dozen trailed Coast Guard ship". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Westhoven, William (December 10, 2024). "FBI to frustrated Congress: 'We just don't know' who is behind mystery drone flights in NJ". Daily Record (New Jersey). Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Kelley, Tina (December 4, 2024). "Mystery drones kept helicopter from taking patient to N.J. hospital, college says". NJ.com.
- ^ a b Kelley, Tina (December 2, 2024). "After nighttime flights, FAA bans drones over Trump's NJ golf course". NJ.com. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Deliso, Meredith (December 11, 2024). "Pentagon shoots down Iran 'mothership' claim amid New Jersey drone mystery". ABC News. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Debusmann Jr, Bernd (December 12, 2024). "Pentagon says mystery drones over US not from Iranian 'mothership'". www.bbc.com. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Russell, Lauren (November 27, 2024). "What's going on with drones spotted over air bases in the UK?". Sky News. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Pilkington, Ed (December 11, 2024). "Mysterious New Jersey drone sightings prompt call for 'state of emergency'". The Guardian. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Burrow, Megan (December 8, 2024). "North Jersey mayors demand action from NJ, feds on flurry of drone sightings". The Record (North Jersey). Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Wallace, Amanda (December 10, 2024). "New federal legislation would help officials monitor drone activity amid mystery in NJ". USA TODAY. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Wolfe, Elizabeth (December 11, 2024). "New Jersey lawmakers meet with security officials after weeks of unexplained drone sightings". CNN. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Ali, Idrees; Stewart, Phil (December 11, 2024). "No Iranian drone 'mothership' off the United States, Pentagon says". Reuters. Retrieved December 12, 2024.