Mysterious drone sightings expand to ocean county, raising concerns near military installations

TOMS RIVER, N.J. — Reports of mysterious drone activity in New Jersey are expanding, with residents in Ocean County now joining those in South Jersey who have reported unexplained sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the past week. The new reports come as concerns grow about the proximity of the sightings to military installations, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and a U.S. Navy research facility.

The latest sightings have been reported across several Ocean County communities, with residents describing a large low-flying drone during the late evening hours. Similar sightings were first reported last week in North Jersey, where residents described drones flying over residential neighborhoods and wooded areas and in the area of the Picatinny Arsenal.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local law enforcement have been notified, and investigations are underway. Officials have yet to confirm the source or purpose of the drones. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, a sprawling military installation in Ocean County that serves the Air Force, Army, and Navy.

These latest sightings have not been officially confirmed by any local law enforcement agencies, but residents on local social media community groups published reports.

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Ocean County is also home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst, a research facility focused on aviation support systems. Security experts have noted that the proximity of the drone sightings to these sensitive sites raises questions about potential surveillance or interference.

Sightings were reported in the Jackson Township and Toms River area.

Unexplained drone activity near military bases has drawn attention nationwide in recent years, with reports of unidentified UAVs prompting security reviews and federal investigations. In 2019, a similar wave of drone sightings occurred in Colorado and Nebraska, where clusters of drones were observed flying in remote areas at night, triggering speculation but ultimately yielding no official explanations.

The FAA regulates drone flights in the United States, and UAVs are prohibited from flying near military bases without prior authorization. Violations can result in steep penalties.

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