Plane or drone? Here's how to check what's flying overhead
NEW JERSEY - Planes, drones or visitors from a galaxy far, far, away?
JUMP TO: FLIGHT RADAR l MAP l LATEST
As officials continue to investigate the origins of mysterious drones spotted over the skies of New Jersey, there's an easy (and free) way to help you tell if what you've spotted is just a plane.
Flight radar
Flightradar24.com provides users with a real-time radar of active flights, and gives information about each aircraft, including flight numbers, origin and destination.
The website is free to use with ads, but users can also unlock more flight information by signing up for a subscription.
Monmouth County, NJ map
Meanwhile, the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office recently released a map of drone sightings in the county. Sheriff Shaun Golden is calling on New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to take immediate action, urging him to declare a state of emergency and "issue an Executive Order banning recreational drone use during nighttime hours."
"Residents are increasingly alarmed by the surge in drone activity after dark, raising concerns about public safety and security," Golden said. "We cannot wait any longer. The Governor must act now, and the Air National Guard needs to step in to protect our communities.
Drones over New Jersey: Latest
Several sightings of mysterious drones have been reported in parts of New Jersey in recent weeks. Sightings were reported from down the Jersey Shore up to Sussex and Bergen counties.
Picatinny Arsenal
The Picatinny Arsenal military base has even confirmed several sightings of unauthorized drones flying over its airspace in recent weeks.
Why are there drones in NJ?
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas briefed the congressional delegation last week, calling on the federal government for more answers.
"It's really frustrating that we don't have more answers as to where they were coming from and why they're doing what they're doing," Murphy said.
Earlier this week, federal law enforcement officials and private sector stakeholders testified about threats posed by unmanned aerial systems, or drones, at a joint hearing held by two house subcommittees.
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX): What is going on in New Jersey?
- Robert Wheeler (FBI): We're investigating, but I don't have an answer of who's responsible for that of one or more people that are responsible for those drone flights.
- Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX): Is the public at risk? Is public safety at risk?
- Robert Wheeler (FBI): There's nothing that is known that would lead me to say that.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby
The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels.
"We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus," Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and Murphy.
Where are the drones coming from?
Theories about their origins have run wild on social media, and on Wednesday, New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew claimed that an ‘Iranian mothership’ was housing the elusive crafts.
"These drones should be shot down," Van Drew said during an interview on FOX News. "Whether it was some crazy hobbyist that we can’t imagine, or whether it is Iran – and I think it very possibly could be – they should be shot down."
In a letter urging President Joe Biden to "act swiftly," Van Drew claimed the Coast Guard has observed drones coming into New Jersey from the Atlantic Ocean and that a sea-based Iranian mothership is currently missing from port.
The Department of Defense quickly shot down Van Drew's theory, adding that there is no so-called ‘mothership' harboring the drones.