At right, passengers at Stewart International Airport in New Windsor, NY, on Thursday, June 9, 2022. On the left, a large drone is demonstrated before the start of press conference, held in Seaside Heights to address the drone sightings in Monmouth and Ocean Counties -- as well as the New York area.
© ALLYSE PULLIAM/FOR THE TIMES HERALD-RECORD / USA TODAY NETWORK + © Peter Ackerman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(New Windsor, NY) – On Friday night, operations were suspended for around an hour at Stewart Airport in New York’s Orange County. According to FAA officials, a drone had violated the airport’s airspace, prompting the shutdown. This comes amid numerous and widespread drone sightings around the Tri-state — dating back to November 18.
Sightings have been reported in New Jersey and in parts of New York. Originally, it seemed they were clustered in and around Morristown, New Jersey. But soon nighttime drone flights were reported up and down the Jersey Shore. Sometimes they were spotted over sensitive infrastructure like reservoirs — and military installations. That includes Naval Station Earle in Colts Neck, New Jersey — which has confirmed multiple violations of its airspace.
In response to the issue at Stewart Airport, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is demanding action from the federal government. That echoes the sentiments of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and other Garden State officials — including Senator Cory Booker. South Jersey Congressman Jeff Van Drew has gone so far as to suggest the drones were launched from an Iranian mothership out in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pentagon has since denied that is the case. Speculation abounds as to what these drones could be — whether foreign adversary, US military technology, amateurs/hobbyists — or perhaps even alien activity.
