‘Drone Mothership’ Update, New Reporting Protocols Released In NJ

NEW JERSEY — Mayors and local legislators vented their frustrations again this week about the lack of information around the spate of unidentified drones flying around New Jersey communities, following a meeting with state authorities.

"We know nothing," said Washington Township mayor Matt Murello of Morris County, after a mayors' briefing with state Homeland Security officials and New Jersey State Police on Wednesday.

Morris County has been a hotspot for drone sightings since they first started appearing, which was around Nov. 18. But almost four weeks later, state and federal officials have little to share about the origin or purpose of these nighttime visitors.

State police have reports of between four and 180 sightings per night, according to Murello and State Assemblywoman Dawn Fantastia (R-24).

"At this point I think I would feel better if these were aliens," Murello wrote in a summary of the meeting.

Only the federal government can authorize the takedown of a drone, Murello and several other local officials noted.

"Until the Department of Defense decides to take proactive action on the drones, the State, County and local police can do nothing but watch and track them," Murello said. State police are deploying a new dashboard for tracking and managing drones, he added.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness did not respond to Patch's inquiry about what drone-sensing technology state officials are using.

Patch has obtained video of one of the drones from the Ocean County Sheriff's Office, which you may view above or click here to see on YouTube.

Pentagon addresses 'Iranian mothership' theory

The Federal Bureau of Investigation began its own probe into the drone sightings on Nov. 26, but there have been few answers since then. Investigators at the state and federal level have not been able to suss out where the drones are coming from — or if they have some idea, they have not yet made that information public.

After Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-2) cited "circumstantial evidence" that the drones were coming from an off-shore Iranian "mothership," Department of Defense officials said that is not true.

On Wednesday, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters that “our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities coming from a foreign entity or adversary.”

“There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there’s no so-called mothership launching drones towards the United States,” she said.

An associate professor at New Jersey Institute of Technology theorized that the drones are likely part of a U.S. government-funded operation. Dr. Pramod Abichandani, who has done research for the Department of Defense, told the Asbury Park Press that he has been out in the field with his students trying to figure it out.

“If I were to list all the options of who this could be, the very first obvious thing is it has something to do with the military, the U.S. military,” he told reporter Ken Serrano.

Sheriff urges Murphy to act

Saying residents are "increasingly alarmed" by the drone activity, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden asked Gov. Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency, and sign an executive order banning recreational drone use during nighttime hours.

Golden's office shared a map of drone sightings in Monmouth County, and said their ongoing presence has "created a host of challenges for law enforcement and emergency response teams."

"We cannot wait any longer," he said. "The governor must act now, and the Air National Guard needs to step in to protect our communities."

No drone sightings at Joint Base

Officials at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst say there have been "no incursions" on their airspace since the sightings began, and said the base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks.

“Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is aware of the recent reports of drone sightings across New Jersey and continues to closely coordinate with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and operations," a spokesperson told Patch.

Drone flyovers have been reported at two other military facilities in the state: Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway and Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown.

The U.S. Northern Command, which oversees the Department of Defense's homeland efforts, said they are monitoring the reports of of the flights near these two facilities.

“U.S. Northern Command conducted a deliberate analysis of the events, in consultation with other military organizations and interagency partners, and at this time we have not been requested to assist with these events," a spokesperson said in a statement.

The Federal Aviation Administration did not answer Patch's specific questions about any violations of the flight restrictions over Picatinny Arsenal on Thursday, only saying that it "continues to support interagency partners to assess the situation and the ongoing reported drone sightings."

More calls for feds to act

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), whose district includes Picatinny Arsenal, urged Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to be more transparent with information and to "work to ease fears and concerns."

Sherrill, a former helicopter pilot in the Navy, said she was "deeply concerned" by the unidentified drones' presence at sensitive national security sites.

"It’s become overwhelmingly clear that we need to modernize our counter UAS strategies to meet the demands of ever-changing technologies, ensure that military leaders at bases like Picatinny Arsenal have the tools they need to respond, and implement a better information-sharing system with members of the public,” she said in a statement Thursday.

Earlier this week, Rep. Tom Kean (R-NJ-21) also called for more resources from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Aviation Administration, and other federal agencies.

"I join thousands of New Jersey residents in deep frustration regarding the growing concerns over drones operating in our skies," he said. The safety and privacy of our residents must be a top priority, and right now, both are being put at risk."

Reporting 'suspicious' drone activity

The state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is also asking people to report suspicious drone activity to them, according to an information sheet given out at Wednesday's meeting. This includes flights near sensitive locations and critical infrastructure, such as military bases, reservoirs, transit hubs, and police stations.

Other indicators of suspicious drone activity includes repeated unauthorized flights, suspected reconnaissance (such as repeated flyovers or prolonged hovering at low altitudes), or flights near sensitive areas, the NJOHSP said.

And, suspicious devices may have visible modifications or irregularities, according to the NJOHSP — such as loose wires, lights that have been taped over or removed, extra tape used to conceal or attach items, and lack of a registration number.

Residents may report suspicious drone activity to local law enforcement, or NJOHSP’s Counter-Threat Watch Unit at 866-4-SAFE-NJ (1-866-472-3365) or tips@njohsp.gov.

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• No Drone Sightings At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Base Says
• Frustration Over NJ Drone Mystery Builds In Essex County
• Middletown Mayor: Feds Need To Stop Dismissing Drone Danger