A North American Aerospace Defense Command official said that U.S. authorities were unable to properly respond to the mystery drone sightings in New England last year as “they caught us by surprise.”
Over 5,000 sightings of drones were reported to the FBI in the final months of 2024, with local lawmakers expressing frustration at the lack of an explanation from authorities.
Why It Matters
Although the White House has sought to ease concerns regarding the drone sightings in New Jersey and other states during November and December, they raised considerable alarm among both the public and lawmakers.
Reports indicated multiple drones flying over military bases, sparking worries among some lawmakers, who speculated that China might be behind the incidents.
What to Know
In an interview with 60 Minutes, NORAD General Gregory Guillot said that the response to the drone sightings was hampered by the focus on drone combat on the international stage.
During the CBS 60 Minutes report, Guillot was asked by the interviewer: “We’re the most powerful military on Earth, and yet drones could fly over a major Air Force Base and we couldn’t stop them? How is that possible?”
Guillot responded: “I think that the threat got ahead of our ability to detect and track it. I think all eyes were rightfully overseas, where UAVs were being used to attack US and coalition service members, and the threat in the U.S. probably caught us by surprise a little bit.”
“We’re the most powerful military on Earth, and yet drones could fly over a major Air Force Base and we couldn’t stop them?”
“The threat got ahead of our ability.”
NORAD General Gregory Guillot says the US is unable to stop mystery drones flying over US Military bases. pic.twitter.com/hrIZoVX1Af
— Red Panda Koala (@RedPandaKoala) March 17, 2025
At the time of the sightings, government officials were unable to offer any explanation for the source or nature of the drones.
Robert Wheeler Jr., the assistant director of the FBI‘s critical incident response group, told a December congressional hearing on drone threats: “We do not attribute [the sightings] to an individual or a group yet. We’re actively investigating, enlisting the help of the interagency task force and the public.
“We just don’t know, and that’s the concerning part. We’re actively investigating and would like to answer those questions, but I don’t have a better answer.”
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Later in January, the White House stated that the drones were “not the enemy” and were part of a series of authorized research flights conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
What People Are Saying
In January, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement from President Trump on the New Jersey sightings, which read: “After research and study, the drones that were flying over New Jersey in large numbers were authorized to be flown by the FAA for research and various other reasons.
“Many of these drones were also hobbyists, recreational and private individuals that enjoy flying drones. In time, it got worse due to curiosity. This was not the enemy.”
What Happens Next
Sightings of the drones have continued to decline since January. The White House has said that the drones are not a threat.
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