Essex County, New Jersey, has become the center of an unsettling phenomenon involving oversized drones.
Recently, large drones resembling the size of cars have been routinely observed over critical areas including Newark Liberty International Airport and prominent US shipping ports, the New York Post reported.
The sightings began in mid-November in less populated parts of New Jersey and have escalated to nightly appearances over densely populated areas. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham was among the first to report these mysterious drones after a flight attendant noticed them while traveling along Route 21, a major route leading to Newark airport.
Mayor Melham has expressed his concerns publicly, noting the drones' complicated flight patterns which suggest a surveillance or monitoring purpose. "They almost looked like small aircraft," he remarked on the size and capabilities of these drones, highlighting their potential to hover and execute grid patterns over sensitive areas.
Witnesses and local officials have described these unmanned flying objects as possessing significant aerial capabilities, suggesting they use more advanced technology than typical consumer drones.
With a reported six-foot diameter and capabilities for sustained flight up to seven hours and covering distances up to 15 miles, their presence is hard to overlook.
The local government acknowledges the public's unease with these drone sightings. Michael Melham disclosed that the drones have been floating and possibly surveilling critical facilities which puts additional pressure on local authorities to address security concerns.
New Jersey Representative Jeff Van Drew previously feared that an offshore location, such as an Iranian "mother ship," might be deploying these drones, fueling further speculation about international involvement. However, authorities have not substantiated these claims with solid evidence.
Biden administration officials have stepped forward to clarify that these drones do not belong to the U.S. government. They labeled the operations as lawful, yet they did not provide additional details about the operators or their intentions, which only adds to the mystery.
The presence of drones has been confirmed by officials at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Colts Neck, NJ. Spokesperson Bill Addison stated, "While no direct threats to the installation have been identified, we can confirm multiple instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace above our facilities."
Mayor Melham speculated on the situation by suggesting a possible governmental strategy behind the drone operations, indicating a measure to safeguard national infrastructure against unseen threats. He humorously added, "If one falls out of the sky, maybe we'll get information that way — if men in black suits don't come and collect it."
Bill Addison from Naval Weapons Station Earle detailed their readiness to respond to any unforeseen threats the drones might pose. "The base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks, leveraging robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities," he assured.
The ongoing drone sightings over Essex County continue to stir not only curiosity but significant alarm among residents and officials due to their unknown origins and obscure objectives. These activities, especially over such critical infrastructures, underscore a pressing need for clarity and security assurances from relevant authorities. Local leaders continue to monitor the situation closely, urging for transparency and more concrete information from federal agencies involved in airspace security.
