‘Several’ drones entered airspace at New Jersey naval station: Official

There have been “several” cases of drones entering the airspace of a naval weapons station in New Jersey, officials there said Friday, as concern continues to grow over widespread drone sightings in the region.

Naval Weapons Station Earle, located in Colts Neck, New Jersey, said it was “aware” of the sightings in the region and “continues to coordinate closely with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of our personnel and operations.”

“While no direct threats to the installation have been identified, we can confirm multiple instances of unidentified drones entering the airspace over Naval Weapons Station Earle,” Bill Addison, public affairs officer for the naval station, said in a statement to ABC News. “The base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks by utilizing robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities.”

The base did not say when the incidents happened.

Residents of northern New Jersey — especially in Morris and Somerset counties — have shared many videos and stories since mid-November about drones larger than those used by hobbyists flying at night. Colts Neck is located in Monmouth County in the eastern part of the state.

Late. Andy Kim, who was sworn into office this week, spent Thursday night in Hunterdon County, which neighbors Somerset, where he said he saw dozens of drones during a two-hour period.

“People deserve answers,” Kim shared journalists after his visit to the county. “We don’t need conspiracy theories or conjecture, we need assurances that the people tasked with keeping us safe are on top of this issue, and a line of communication so that people feel that their government take this seriously.”

He again repeated his calls for a federal investigation by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. Kim was one of the four senators from New York and New Jersey — along with fellow Democrats Sens. Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Cory Booker — who wrote a letter to federal officials Wednesday urging action.

“We are writing with urgent concern regarding the unmanned aerial system (UAS) activity that has affected communities across New York and New Jersey in recent days,” the letter said.

While the letter did not specifically mention Naval Weapons Station Earle, it did include a note that the drones have been observed near “critical infrastructure and sensitive locations, including reservoirs and military installations.”

The White House downplayed some of the residents’ concerns in a press briefing Thursday with National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby saying “many” of the reported drone sightings appear to be legally operated manned aircraft.

“We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign connection,” Kirby added. “The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings and are working closely with state and local law enforcement to provide resources using multiple detection methods to better understand their origins.”

After seeing the drones with his own eyes late Thursday, Kim said the comments weren’t necessarily reassuring to residents.

“It’s hard for people to feel safe when there are unexplained drones flying overhead and they’re not getting the answers they need from the federal investigation,” Kim said. “This has been going on for weeks and I’m just as frustrated as everyone else at not getting more information and details. That’s why I came out to see for myself and I’m grateful to the local police for taking me around. “