Reports from local authorities, including police departments, sheriff departments, and the U.S. Coast Guard, suggest New Jersey’s drone activity originates in the ocean. One New Jersey congressman says local military officials know about it but are telling him they have not been given the green light to defend our skies from Washington, D.C. bureaucrats. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy continues telling New Jersey residents, there is no public threat posed by the drone activity, even after U.S. Coast Guard boat trailed by 12 drones off the Jersey Shore.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recent drone sightings along the New Jersey coastline have sparked significant concerns among residents, local officials, and federal authorities. Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) has been vocal in raising alarm over the incidents, describing them as “very troubling” and potentially linked to foreign powers. Smith’s remarks, made during a televised interview, shed light on a growing mystery involving dozens of drones observed over the Atlantic Ocean and New Jersey shores, with federal and local agencies now scrambling to investigate.
The activity has been described as both extensive and unprecedented, with drones spotted flying near sensitive areas and trailing U.S. Coast Guard vessels. Smith has suggested the involvement of adversarial foreign entities, such as Russia or China, though definitive answers remain elusive.
“There’s probably a ship, it’s definitely not a hoax,” Congressman Smith said, noting the capabilities of Russia and China.
Coast Guard Encounters Drone Swarm
One of the most concerning incidents occurred when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean was closely followed by more than a dozen drones. Congressman Smith, who personally visited the area to speak with Coast Guard officials, described the drones as “large” and flying in close proximity to the stern of the 47-foot vessel. According to Smith, the incident, which took place two nights before his visit, was “not just suspicious but provocative.”
“The Coast Guard commander I spoke with made it clear that these drones were tracking their vessel in a manner that raises serious questions,” Smith said during the interview. “This kind of activity cannot be dismissed as recreational drone use or a coincidence. It’s deliberate and potentially hostile.”
The drones’ origin remains unclear, but Smith warned that such activity could be linked to foreign powers, including Russia, China, or other adversaries. “We can’t rule anything out,” he said.
50 Drones Spotted Moving Inland
Adding to the mystery, Ocean County law enforcement officials reported seeing 50 drones moving from the ocean onto land on a separate evening. The incident was chronicled by a local police officer working with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, who documented the swarm near the coastline.
“This is really serious stuff,” Smith said, emphasizing the unusual scale and coordination of the drone activity. “This isn’t a hoax. This isn’t random. It’s organized and deliberate.”
China launched world’s first drone aircraft carrier in 2022
According to this report, China has reportedly constructed and launched the world’s first dedicated drone carrier, marking a significant milestone in its naval advancements. Despite being launched in December 2022, details about the vessel have only recently come to light, shrouded in secrecy and raising questions about its purpose and capabilities.
According to an analysis by Naval News in collaboration with J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, this cutting-edge drone carrier is unlike any other ship currently in operation worldwide. While China has not publicly acknowledged the ship or its mission, experts are closely examining satellite imagery and available data to piece together information about this enigmatic addition to China’s naval fleet.
First-of-its-kind design
The drone carrier reportedly features a design tailored specifically for the deployment and operation of unmanned aerial, surface, and possibly underwater vehicles. Unlike traditional aircraft carriers designed for manned operations, this ship’s focus on drones suggests a new approach to naval warfare, leveraging autonomous systems to expand China’s surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat capabilities.
Growing Concerns Among Residents and Officials
The recent incidents have left residents of New Jersey and the broader Northeast on edge. While drones are commonly used for recreational purposes, the nature, size, and behavior of these drones have sparked fears of surveillance or even reconnaissance activities by a foreign entity. Congressman Smith noted the unease felt by locals, including himself, after observing the activity firsthand.
“The night before, I was on the beach speaking with law enforcement and Coast Guard officials,” Smith said. “The number of drones, the way they moved—it’s deeply concerning. Residents are right to demand answers.”
The drones have also been reported near sensitive areas, including government facilities, adding to concerns about potential espionage or malicious intent.
Calls for Federal Action
Congressman Smith has criticized the lack of decisive action from federal authorities, particularly the Department of Defense (DoD). According to Smith, the Pentagon has the capability to track and intercept drones but lacks the authority to act in these specific instances.
“I’ve spoken with the commanding officer at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and urged the DoD to step in,” Smith said. “We know they have the technology to identify where these drones are coming from and even bring them down. But they don’t have the authority to do it. That needs to change immediately.”
Smith has written to federal agencies, including the Pentagon, requesting that they be granted the necessary authority to intercept and investigate the drones. He also called on the White House to provide clarity on the situation, criticizing the administration for its lack of transparency.
“How do they allow this to happen without giving the American people answers?” Smith asked. “We’ve seen situations like this before, such as the Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this year, where delays in action raised serious concerns. We can’t afford to make the same mistakes again.”
Historical Parallels: The Chinese Surveillance Balloon
Smith drew parallels to the high-profile incident in early 2023, when a Chinese surveillance balloon traversed the continental United States before being shot down over the Atlantic Ocean. That incident sparked widespread criticism of federal agencies for not acting sooner, and Smith suggested that the current drone activity could represent a similar threat.
“These drones could very well be another form of surveillance by a foreign power,” Smith warned. “We need to treat this as a potential threat until proven otherwise.”
Theories and Speculation
While no definitive explanation has been provided, theories about the drones’ origins and purpose abound. Some experts have speculated that the drones could be part of an elaborate foreign reconnaissance operation, gathering intelligence on U.S. infrastructure and military capabilities. Others have suggested that the activity could involve advanced testing of drone technology by adversarial nations.
Smith dismissed the notion that the incidents could be a hoax, pointing to the scale and sophistication of the drone operations. “There’s no way this is a hoax,” he said. “The technology involved, the patterns we’re seeing—this is deliberate.”
Coordination with Local and Federal Agencies
The Barnegat Police Department, which recently issued a public advisory about drone sightings in its jurisdiction, is among the local agencies working with federal authorities to monitor and investigate the situation. The FBI has also established a task force to collect data on drone sightings across New Jersey and other states in the Northeast.
Residents have been urged to report drone activity near sensitive areas, such as schools, government buildings, and places of worship, to local law enforcement. Recreational drone sightings can be reported directly to the FBI.
What’s Next?
As the investigation continues, Smith is pushing for greater urgency and coordination at the federal level. “We need answers, and we need them now,” he said. “This could be the beginning of something serious, or it could be nothing. Either way, we can’t afford to ignore 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 called for greater transparency from the White House and federal agencies.
In the meantime, residents and officials in New Jersey remain vigilant, hoping that ongoing investigations will provide clarity on the mysterious drone activity.
You can read the entire interview by Fox News below: