Mystery drone sightings: New Jersey requests assistance from Pentagon

Congressman Chris Smith is asking Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to provide a New Jersey military base with the tools it needs to take down drones, as the state deals with swarms of unmanned aerial systems. The drones have been spotted by the dozen over sensitive security locations and critical infrastructure. 

Rep. Chris Smtih, R-N.J.: “This is a national security issue of the highest order, and people need to have their concerns, which are very well founded, and I have them too, allayed.”

“one of their coast guard ships, 47 footer, had between 12 and 30 of these drones following them, right behind them. Don’t tell me that’s not some kind of intimidation.” 

In his letter to Austin, Smith wrote – “I urgently request all capabilities possessed by the Department of Defense, especially those in use by Joint Base McQuire-Dix-Lakehurst to be immediately deployed to identify and address the potential threats posed by UAS over the state of New Jersey.”

Smith said Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst already has the capability to identify and take down unauthorized drones, but the base commander told him he doesn’t have the authority.  

Smith has been disappointed by the federal government’s response. 

Smith: “I even asked the Coast Guard – What’s the rules of engagement? You know, you interdict all the time drug traffickers and other traffickers, and that means, you know, weapons, what? They don’t have any rules of engagement at this point, but the DOD has got the capability right there, and all this scratching of the head. Oh, it’s Homeland Security’s job. Well, they’re not doing it. 

In addition to the DOD, Smith has spoken with the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and other state and federal agencies about the drone sightings and no one has an explanation. 

Lawmakers at the state and federal level are concerned the drones could be a threat to national security. 

There are multiple sensitive locations in New Jersey, including Joint Base McQuire-Dix and Naval Weapons Stations Earle, 

which provides guns, artillery and explosives for the Atlantic Fleet Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Groups. 

Smith: “We’ve got the Chinese Communist Party, who is spoiling for a fight, particularly vis a vis Taiwan. Putin is beside himself. Lavrov is threatening us, as is Putin daily. He’s got the problems in Middle East with Iran, every way you look. And drones are the method of modern warfare, in addition to other things, but it is really, you know, it’s the game changer.”

A New Jersey State Senator is calling for a limited state of emergency banning all drones until the public receives an explanation.