The U.S. Coast Guard, police agencies, and sheriff departments are among the local authorities who have reported that drone activity in New Jersey comes from the water. According to a congressman from New Jersey, local military officials are aware of it but are informing him that bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., have not authorized them to protect our airspace. Even after a U.S. Coast Guard boat was followed by 12 drones off the Jersey Shore, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has insisted that the drone activity does not represent a threat to the public.
Washington, D.C.Residents, local authorities, and federal authorities are all quite concerned about recent drone sightings along the New Jersey coastline. The occurrences have prompted Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) to voice his alarm, calling them “very troubling” and maybe “linked to foreign powers.” Federal and municipal agencies are already rushing to look into the mystery surrounding the dozens of drones that were spotted over the Atlantic Ocean and the coasts of New Jersey. Smith’s comments during a live interview helped to clarify the situation.
Drones have been seen flying close to sensitive locations and following US Coast Guard ships, describing the activity as widespread and unprecedented. Although conclusive solutions are still difficult, Smith has proposed the involvement of hostile foreign actors, such as China or Russia.
Congressman Smith stated, “There’s probably a ship, it’s definitely not a hoax,” pointing to China’s and Russia’s capabilities.
Coast Guard Encounters Drone Swarm
One of the most alarming instances had over a dozen drones closely following a U.S. Coast Guard ship while it was on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean. Congressman Smith, who traveled to the region to meet with Coast Guard representatives, said the drones were big and hovering near the 47-foot ship’s stern. Smith claims that the encounter, which happened two nights before to his visit, was provocative in addition to being suspicious.
“These drones were tracking their vessel in a way that raises serious questions,” Smith stated in the interview, quoting the Coast Guard captain I spoke with. This type of behavior cannot be written off as a coincidence or as drone use for fun. It s deliberate and potentially hostile.
Although the origin of the drones is still unknown, Smith cautioned that such behavior may be connected to opponents like China, Russia, or other foreign powers. He added, “We can’t rule anything out.”
50 Drones Spotted Moving Inland
The issue was further compounded on another evening when Ocean County law enforcement officials claimed to have seen 50 drones flying from the ocean onto land. A local police officer with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department documented the swarm close to the coast in order to capture the incident.
Smith emphasized the unprecedented scope and coordination of the drone activities, saying, “This is really serious stuff.” It’s not a hoax. This isn’t arbitrary. It’s planned and methodical.
China launched world s first drone aircraft carrier in 2022
This article claims that China has built and launched the first drone carrier in history, which is a major step forward for its naval development. Although the ship was launched in December 2022, nothing is known about it because to its secrecy, which raises concerns about its capabilities and mission.
An investigation conducted by Naval News in partnership with J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, claims that this state-of-the-art drone carrier is unlike any other vessel in use today. Experts are attentively analyzing satellite pictures and accessible data to put together details about this mysterious addition to China’s navy fleet, despite the fact that China has not formally acknowledged the ship or its role.
First-of-its-kind design
According to reports, the drone carrier is specifically designed to deploy and operate unmanned aerial, surface, and maybe undersea vehicles. This ship’s emphasis on drones, in contrast to conventional aircraft carriers built for human operations, points to a new strategy for naval warfare that uses autonomous technology to increase China’s fighting, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
Growing Concerns Among Residents and Officials
Residents of New Jersey and the larger Northeast are on edge as a result of the recent incidents. Despite the fact that drones are frequently used for leisure, concerns about foreign monitoring or even reconnaissance have been raised by the nature, size, and behavior of these machines. After witnessing the action personally, Congressman Smith remarked the uneasiness felt by residents, including himself.
“I was on the beach talking to Coast Guard and law enforcement officials the night before,” Smith claimed. The quantity of drones and their movement are really alarming. Residents have the right to ask for clarification.
Concerns regarding possible espionage or malevolent intent have been heightened by reports of the drones being in close proximity to government buildings and other critical locations.
Calls for Federal Action
Congressman Smith has expressed disapproval of the federal government’s inaction, especially that of the Department of Defense (DoD). Smith said the Pentagon can track and intercept drones but does not have the power to take action in these particular situations.
Smith stated that he had encouraged the DoD to intervene after speaking with the commanding officer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. We are aware that they have the technology to locate the source of these drones and even take them down. However, they lack the power to do so. That must be changed right away.
Smith has requested in writing that the Pentagon and other federal agencies be given the power to intercept and look into the drones. He also criticized the administration for its lack of transparency and urged the White House to clarify the situation.
Without providing answers to the American people, how do they let this happen? Smith enquired. There have been instances like this in the past, including the Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this year, where inaction caused grave worries. We cannot afford to repeat our mistakes.
Historical Parallels: The Chinese Surveillance Balloon
Smith compared the situation to the well-known event that occurred in early 2023, when a Chinese spy balloon flew across the continental United States before being shot down over the Atlantic Ocean. Smith indicated that the current drone activity would pose a similar threat to the incident, which prompted significant condemnation of federal authorities for their failure to act sooner.
Smith cautioned that these drones might very well be another way for a foreign power to monitor its citizens. Until the opposite is demonstrated, we must consider this a possible threat.
Theories and Speculation
Though no clear explanation has been offered, there are several ideas regarding the origins and intent of the drones. According to some experts, the drones might be a component of a complex foreign reconnaissance operation that collects intelligence about American military prowess and infrastructure. Some have speculated that the activity might entail hostile countries testing sophisticated drone technology.
Smith rejected the idea that the occurrences might be a hoax, citing the size and complexity of the drone operations. He asserted that this was not a scam. The trends we’re seeing and the technologies involved are intentional.
Coordination with Local and Federal Agencies
Among the local organizations assisting federal authorities in monitoring and investigating the matter is the Barnegat Police Department, which recently released a public notice regarding drone sightings inside its territory. In order to gather information on drone sightings in New Jersey and other Northeastern states, the FBI has also formed a task team.
Local law enforcement has been asked to investigate drone activities near sensitive locations, including houses of worship, government facilities, and schools. The FBI can receive direct reports of drone sightings for recreational purposes.
What s Next?
Smith is advocating for increased government coordination and urgency as the probe progresses. He stated, “We need answers, and we need them now.” It can be nothing, or it might be the start of something big. In any case, we cannot afford to overlook it.
The congressman vowed to keep pressing for action, including granting the DoD the authority to intercept and examine drones that pose potential threats. He also demanded that federal agencies and the White House be more transparent.
In the meantime, residents and officials in New Jersey remain vigilant, hoping that ongoing investigations will provide clarity on the mysterious drone activity.
The full Fox News interview is available to read below:
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