Recent briefings by the Department of Homeland Security have revealed new details about the mysterious drone activity that has been puzzling New Jersey residents and officials for weeks.
According to Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, who attended a DHS briefing, the reported aircraft are substantially larger than typical hobby drones, measuring up to 6 feet in diameter. These drones have demonstrated unusual capabilities, including the ability to evade conventional detection methods like helicopter tracking and radio monitoring. Some have been observed operating with their lights turned off.
The sightings, which began in November, span from coastal areas to inland locations across New Jersey. One notable incident involved approximately dozen drones closely following a Coast Guard lifeboat near Barnegat Light and Island Beach State Park, as confirmed by Coast Guard Lt. Luke Pinneo.
While multiple agencies including the FBI, Homeland Security guards, and state police are investigating, the source and purpose of these flights remain unknown. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated that initial assessments indicate the drones are not of foreign origin, and Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed they are not U.S. military aircraft.
The mysterious flights have prompted varied responses from officials. Two Republican congressmen, Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew, have called for military intervention to shoot down the aircraft. However, Governor Phil Murphy maintains that the drones do not pose a public safety threat, though specific details supporting this assessment have not been provided.
The aircraft have been spotted near sensitive locations, including the Picatinny Arsenal military facility and Trump's golf course in Bedminster. While drone operation is legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial purposes, these flights have raised concerns about current regulations and oversight.
Authorities continue to investigate whether the sightings represent multiple coordinated aircraft or repeated observations of the same drone. The FBI has requested public assistance, asking residents to share any photos, videos, or information about the mysterious aircraft.