Unexplained Drone Sightings Lead to Closure of Major US Air Force Base | US News
Over the weekend, drone sightings prompted officials to temporarily close the airspace above one of the largest US Air Force bases.
Drones in the vicinity of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, located near Dayton, Ohio, forced base leaders to shut down the airspace for approximately four hours from late Friday to early Saturday, according to a base spokesperson.
This event marks the first time drones have been reported near the base, as noted by Robert Purtiman.
No additional sightings were recorded after early Saturday, he stated.
Mr. Purtiman mentioned that various sizes of drones were involved, and although they did not affect any base operations, he refrained from disclosing the exact number of drones observed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
What are the mystery drones flying over New Jersey?
In a related incident, police in Boston arrested two individuals accused of operating drones “too close” to Logan Airport on Saturday night.
Authorities reported that an officer utilizing drone detection technology identified the aircraft and their operators’ locations.
A third individual evaded arrest and remains at large, officials added.
The two detained men are facing trespassing charges and could potentially incur additional charges and fines.
Boston police have urged drone pilots to comply with federal safety regulations via a social media post, stating: “Even small drones present serious risks, including catastrophic damage to airplanes and helicopters.
“Near-collisions can cause pilots to lose control, endangering lives and property.”
Read more from Sky News:
Lucy Letby lawyer says expert witness has ‘changed his mind’
Ousted Syrian leader issues first statement since fall of regime
Prince Andrew will not join Royal Family for Christmas
Lights in the sky near Lebanon Township, New Jersey. Pic: Trisha Bushey/AP
Drone sightings on eastern US coast
Numerous drone swarms have been reported in the eastern parts of the US since mid-November, leading to speculations that they may have originated from an Iranian “mothership” or from China.
Witness accounts indicate the presence of drones across New Jersey, including near the Picatinny Arsenal military facility and over the golf course owned by president-elect Donald Trump in Bedminster.
Reports have also surfaced in New York, leading to the temporary closure of runways at Stewart International Airport for about an hour on Friday night due to drone activities.
Several alleged drones over Bernardsville, New Jersey. Pic: Brian Glenn/TMX via AP
Calls for advanced technology to address drones
Legislators are pressing US federal and state agencies to identify and mitigate unauthorized drone flights.
Officials from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have asserted that the sightings do not seem to reflect foreign interference or present a public safety threat.
However, due to the inability to ascertain the origin of the swarms or to prevent them, leaders from both political factions are advocating for enhanced technology and authority to combat these drones.
‘The government is aware of the situation’ – Trump
President-elect Trump has suggested that the US military should inform the public regarding the drone sightings.
“The government is aware of the situation,” Mr. Trump remarked. “For some reason, they seem reluctant to comment. They would be better off disclosing what our military and president know.”
During a press conference in Palm Beach, Florida, Mr. Trump mentioned he “couldn’t imagine it being an enemy” but declined to provide further details. He didn’t answer when asked if he had received an intelligence briefing about the situation.
The White House has indicated that a review of the reported sightings revealed many were actually manned aircraft operating legally.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Senator spots ‘unidentified drones’
New Jersey Senator shares videos of enigmatic ‘drones’
Following these occurrences, New Jersey Senator Andy Kim released videos depicting what he asserted were several unidentified drones in the state’s skies.
Senator Kim posted four clips on his social media account showing lights in motion, stating that sometimes the lights appeared as “solid white” while at other times they exhibited “flashes of red and green”.
He also remarked that some of the unidentified entities seemed to move in “small clusters of 2-4” but at times both he and the officers observed “5-7 lights” simultaneously.
