Pentagon Denies Involvement in New Jersey Drone Sightings

Unidentified Drones Over the Northeast: Pentagon Addresses Concerns

During a press conference held on Wednesday, the Pentagon stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest the unidentified drones observed flying over New Jersey and other areas of the northeastern United States originate from a foreign power. Furthermore, these drones have been confirmed as not belonging to the U.S. military.

Congressional Hearing and Public Reports

This announcement follows a U.S. Congressional hearing convened on Tuesday to address the increasing frequency of drone activity. Several members of Congress voiced their dissatisfaction with the limited information available and the slow response to these drone incursions.

The FBI informed lawmakers during the hearing that they are collaborating with state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the situation. To date, over 3,000 reports of drone sightings have been received from the public, yet the responsible parties remain unknown.

FAA Restrictions and Initial Findings

In November, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration implemented flight restrictions over portions of New Jersey. This action was prompted by drone activity near the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster and the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility located in Morris County.

Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon press secretary, provided further details regarding the drones during Wednesday’s briefing. She indicated that the drones are unlikely to be operated by a foreign adversary.

Pentagon's Assessment and Dismissal of Theories

“We currently possess no evidence linking these activities to a foreign adversary,” Singh explained. “We will continue to monitor the situation, but our installations were not at any point considered to be under threat during these occurrences.”

When questioned about the possibility of the drones being American-made, Singh explicitly stated, “These are not U.S. military drones.” She reiterated the initial assessment, confirming that the drones do not appear to be originating from a foreign entity or adversary.

Singh also refuted a claim made by Representative Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ) regarding the potential launch of the drones from an Iranian “mothership” positioned off the U.S. coastline.

“That claim is unsubstantiated. There is no Iranian vessel located off the coast of the United States, nor is there any evidence of a so-called ‘mothership’ deploying drones towards the country,” Singh affirmed.

Impact and Ongoing Investigation

Despite the ongoing investigation, the identity of those operating the drones remains a mystery. This has caused concern among local residents and, in one instance, even hindered a medevac helicopter’s ability to transport an injured individual from a car accident to a hospital in New Jersey.

Beyond concerns about potential foreign threats, speculation surrounding the drones ranges from their involvement in a clandestine military program to the possibility of them being Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs. The Pentagon is now routinely tasked with investigating the latter, especially given the increasing prevalence of consumer and commercial drone usage.

Singh suggested that the investigation may also reveal some reported sightings to be misidentified drones or even “small airplanes.”