by Sarah Roderick-Fitch
Law enforcement officials in Virginia have reported “suspicious” drone sightings appearing over counties containing sensitive military bases and national security facilities.
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office reports the sightings of “suspicious drones flying over” Stafford, King George and Spotsylvania counties.
“The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with federal law enforcement agencies regarding the drones and they are aware of the recent activity,” according to a Stafford County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post.
The King George Sheriff’s Office shared a similar post, confirming the department has been in contact with the local FBI field office. The post said the FBI requests that “all information be reported to them as well as the [Federal Aviation Administration].”
The counties located within an hour outside the Washington, D.C. metro area include parts of Marine Corps Headquarters, Quantico, which houses the FBI Academy and the headquarters for multiple service branches investigative services, including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, located in King George County, is home to “numerous scientific and response-force missions” and known for the development and testing of long-range ballistics weapons.
The “suspicious” sightings follow several reported sightings in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that have made headlines, prompting the White House’s national security communications advisor, Adm. John Kirby (Ret.), to respond.
“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,” said Kirby.
Despite Kirby downplaying the incidents, several lawmakers are requesting a full briefing of the incidents.
Sens. Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Andy Kim, D-N.J. sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and FAA are urging the agencies to brief the lawmakers “as soon as possible” on how they are working to identify the incidents, underscoring concerns of them operating near sensitive locations.
“These drones have been observed maneuvering near critical infrastructure and sensitive locations, including reservoirs and military installations,” the senators wrote. “The potential safety and security risks posed by these drones in civilian areas is especially pertinent considering recent drone incursions at sensitive military sites in and outside of the continental United States over the past year. Protecting civilian infrastructure, safety, and privacy as well as military assets and personnel will require a comprehensive response from Congress and the executive branch.”
In October, the Pentagon confirmed several “unauthorized” drone sightings last year that had flown over restricted airspace around the area of several military bases, including Naval Station Norfolk and Langley Air Force Base, first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
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Sarah Roderick-Fitch is The Center Square’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Editor. She has previously worked as an editor, and has been a contributing writer for several publications. In addition to writing and editing, Sarah spent nearly a decade working for non-profit, public policy organizations in the Washington, DC area.
